Awards!
SI-MSC is involved with several Soroptimist award programs. Learn something about them on this page, then contact us for more information. This page describes several specific awards. Look them over to see whether you qualify.
If you are a local person whose work benefits women and girls in keeping with our values (see below), complete the general request form.
The Live Your Dream Award
Since 1972, the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award program has given over $25 million to tens of thousands of women who overcame poverty, domestic and sexual violence, divorce, the death of a spouse, or other life challenges. These women have the courage and determination to turn their lives around.
Recipients may use the cash award to offset costs for their efforts to gain higher education, including books, childcare and transportation.
The winner of the local grant receives $1,000. The local winner is then evaluated by a panel at the Region level. The winner at that level usually receives $5,000, and may qualify for an award at a higher level.
Eligible candidates…
- Provide the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.
- Have financial need.
- Are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.
- Are motivated to achieve your education and career goals.
- Reside in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories.
- Have not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.
- Do not have a graduate degree.
- Are not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas, or immediate family of someone who is.
The Violet Richardson Award
We are lucky to have many women between 14 and 18 who volunteer in the community. They are eligible to apply for the Violet Richardson Award.
This award recognizes young women who make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts such as: fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment; and working to end discrimination and poverty. Volunteer work that benefits women or girls are of special interest.
Soroptimist is an organization whose members volunteer in their communities, alongside many of these young women. While we believe that volunteering is its own reward, we also want to honor young women who value community service.
The Dream It, Be It Award
Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls gives girls the tools they need to reach their educational and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.
Dream It, Be It targets girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. It provides girls with access to role models, education, and resources to live their dreams. Soroptimist clubs partner with girls in small groups or a conference setting to provide them with information and resources. The topics covered include career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, overcoming obstacles to success, and moving forward after setbacks or failures.
The Ruby Award
This award honors non-Soroptimist women who make extraordinary efforts on behalf of other women. This award gives the club a way to say “thank you” and encourage others to explore how to help women.
The Soroptimist Ruby Award recipient should be a woman who:
- Improve the lives of women and girls;
- Affects the lives of women and girls;
- Inspires and encourages other women.
Fellowship
Founder Region Fellowship offers grants to women in doctoral programs who:
- enrolled in graduate schools within the boundary of Founder Region
- have advanced to candidacy
- are entering into the last year of their doctoral programs
Our Values:
SIA Vision: Women and girls have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams.
SIA Mission: Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
SIA’s Values:
- Gender Equality: Women and girls live free from discrimination.
- Empowerment: Women and girls are free to act in their own best interest.
- Education: Women and girls deserve to lead full and productive lives through access to education.
- Diversity & Fellowship: Women from varied backgrounds and perspectives work together to improve the lives of women and girls.