Viewfinder: Bras for a Cause

The Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea had its sixth-annual Bras for a Cause fundraiser last Saturday. Soroptimist means "best for women" in Latin, and the organization is living up to its name. 

This year's event raised more than $13,000 for Gemma, a program committed to helping women transition back into society after being incarcerated, and for WomenCARE, a women's cancer advocacy group that offers free support services for women with all types of cancer. 

"We actually raised much more than anticipated," said Monica DaCosta, secretary of the Capitola-by-the-Sea chapter. 

Members of the organization, friends and family went out for this year's event at the Mid-County Senior Center in Capitola. Men showed up, too, and DaCosta said there were at least twice as many people in attendance as last year. 

The first-place winner this year was Terri Ryan, who built her "Rock on Brah" out of cement and mosaics. She entered the bra in honor of her friend, Michelle Stweart, a local school principal who survived breast cancer. Ryan donated her $150 cash prize to Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea, and according to DaCosta, she is the first one in the history of Bras for a Cause to do so.

"Anything to save the ta-tas," said Ryan.

The second-place cash prize of $100 went to Peter Larson, for his “Battle of the Bay Bra,” featuring one San Francisco Giants cup and one Oakland A's cup using mixed media, including duct tape. The third-place prize of $50 went to Stacey Smith for her large and multi-jeweled “Catherine the Great” bra.