Global impact: Women's Opportunity Awards

I am confident that I will succeed in achieving all the things that were once beyond my wildest dreams … thank you Soroptimist members for helping me so much that I am now able to help others. I am truly living my dream.” —Women’s Opportunity Award Recipient

Since 1972, Soroptimist has disbursed more than $25 million in educational grants through this program to help tens of thousands of women triumph over domestic violence, poverty, drug abuse, gender discrimination and other challenges to reclaim their dreams.

The women use the cash grants however they choose in support of their education goals—for tuition, books, childcare and transportation. These are women who have committed to turning their lives around, and do so with just a bit of help from Soroptimist.

In 2010-2011, the financial and personal impact of the the Women’s Opportunity Awards program was impressive. For the seventh year in a row, about $1.5 million in education grants was disbursed in club, region and federation funds. In 2010-2011, 1,037 clubs gave awards to a combined total of 1,221 women. Seventy-five percent of Soroptimist clubs participated in the program. In addition, the first-place recipients in each region also received a laptop computer to help them on their educational journeys.

To measure our impact, SIA sends surveys to recipients three years after they receive the award. In 2010-2011, survey results showed: 97% reported an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence 69% reported earning an educational degree/certification 54% reported securing higher-paying employment 80% reported an improved standard of living for themselves and their dependents 88% reported serving as a role model for their dependents

 

 

Quick Links

• Apply for a Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Award

• Meet the 2012 award finalists

• Watch short videos featuring past award recipients

• Read more about this program

• Donate to support this program