Soroptimist International of Sequim, an international volunteer organization for women, is seeking applicants for its recognition program targeted to young women who make the community and world a better place.

The Violet Richardson Award honors young women, between the ages of 14-17 for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty.

The award program is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It’s what you do that counts.”

The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist club level, where the type of award varies. Soroptimist International of Sequim presents a $500 award to first-place winners, donates $250 to the charity of the first-place winner’s choice and presents $250 to the runner-up – a total of $1,000.

Club-level winners then become eligible for one of 28 $1,000 awards. In addition, at this level, $1,000 will be contributed in honor of the winners to their volunteer organizations. One finalist will be chosen from among the 28 winners for an additional award, including a contribution of $2,500 to the finalist’s volunteer organization.

Applications for the award program are available online at www.sisequim.org, or by calling Jane Manzer at 477-5744.

Applications must be returned to Soroptimist International of Sequim at P.O. Box 126, Sequim, by Dec. 1.