International women’s organization aims to inspire women and girls through its Live Your Dream Campaign

March 8, 2011
Contact: Jessica Levinson, Communications Director
215-893-9000 x129

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—In honor of the 100th International Women’s Day, Soroptimist International of the Americas highlights the progress women have made and encourages support for the struggles they continue to face. Through its Live Your Dream Campaign, the international volunteer organization for women who help other women and girls, celebrates the unique accomplishments of women and the power of their dreams.

Soroptimist invites women from all walks of life to visit LiveYourDreamCampaign.org for several inspirational initiatives:

• A webisode series featuring Tyra Wright Johnson, a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award recipient. The series follows this amazing woman at work, school and with her family, and shows how the award—which provides cash grants for education or training—has helped change her life.
• A photo campaign, which asks participants to pledge their continued support of women and their dreams by filling out a photo pledge sign, taking a photo with it and entering it into a slideshow. The campaign is a fun and engaging way to demonstrate the spirit of the Live Your Dream Campaign and Soroptimist’s mission to help women and girls.
• The announcement of the winners of Soroptimist’s 3rd Annual Live Your Dream Art Contest, which invited boys and girls, ages 4-18, to draw a fictional woman from literature who inspires them. This year, more than 2,700 children from around the world participated in the contest.

“Women have made great strides in the past 100 years, but we still have so far to go,” said Leigh Wintz, Soroptimist’s executive director. “The Live Your Dream Campaign sparks a sense of possibility and potential in women and girls everywhere. Participating in the campaign is a powerful way we can continue to help, motivate and inspire each other to achieve dreams big and small. Whether it’s something like learning another language or seeking a new career path—or a more serious goal of moving out of situations of poverty, discrimination or domestic abuse—our Live Your Dream Campaign inspires women to take steps toward living their full and amazing potential.”

Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Campaign inspires women to live their dreams, and encourages them to pass on their good fortune to others. The award-winning Live Your Dream website is a place where women can join together to celebrate successes while raising awareness about the challenges women and girls continue to face. 

 “I invite everyone to visit LiveYourDreamCampaign.org,” Wintz added. “You’ll be inspired by stories of determination and courage, learn how you can help other women and girls, and have fun in the process. So check the Live Your Dream site often, not only on March 8, International Women’s Day, but throughout the year.”

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist offers programs that improve the lives of women and girls through social and economic empowerment. Its major program, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, provides cash grants for women seeking to improve their lives with the help of additional education and training. Each year, about $1.5 million is disbursed to deserving women through this award-winning program. Soroptimist is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs. For more information, visit Soroptimist.org.

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