SOROPTIMIST LIVE YOUR DREAM WEBSITE ASKS "WHO INSPIRES YOU?"

August 12, 2008
Contact: Jessica Levinson, Communications Director, 215-893-9000 x 129
Kamali Brooks, Public Relations Manager, 215-893-9000 x 130

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Women who shatter the glass ceiling. Rosa Parks. The women of Africa. A mother. What could such an unrelated grouping have in common? They are all women chosen by visitors to Soroptimist’s “Live Your Dream” website, LiveYourDreamCampaign.org, in response to a simple question: “Who Inspires You?”

The contest was in celebration of the second year of Soroptimist’s “Live Your Dream Campaign,” a fun and inspirational online community where people can go to celebrate women and the power of their dreams.

The winner of the “Who Inspires You?” on-line contest, Dawn McAdams of Bensalem, Penna., chose women in business who make it to the top as her inspiration to live her dreams. She writes, “These women inspire me to work hard, stay motivated and they push me to the next level. My dream is to not only become a CEO of a company, but to also continue my life as a mother, wife, daughter and friend. I will be strong and motivated, but I will also leave time for those who have helped me on my journey.” McAdams received a $500 American Express gift card, which she will use to help her achieve her dreams.

Muriel Brounstein of Citrus Heights, California, is inspired by the life of Rosa Parks, whose bravery in keeping her seat on the bus began a year-long civil rights boycott leading to a change in the law. “Her courageous act encourages me to speak up when I see an injustice. I keep a magnet on my refrigerator that says, ‘Stand up for your principles, even if you stand alone,’” she writes.

The women of Africa are Janet Franzen’s inspiration. “They survive the hardships of war, AIDS, famine and all things bad that plague their countries,” shares Franzen of Cody, Wyoming. “Even in these surroundings, their human nature and caring is evident in every gesture and smile.”
Sometimes a woman’s inspiration is closer to home. Sarah Walker of Las Vegas, Nevada, applauds her mother as a support through multiple challenge and adversities. “I was injured at 2 years of age, which resulted in the loss of my left eye. My parents, especially my mother, never treated me differently, encouraged me to succeed, rescued me from the harsh words of children … my mother set examples for me in volunteer work, service projects and supported and encouraged me to take the extra step to succeed,” she states. “Reach for the stars, the sky is the limit!”

The Live You Dream Campaign and website have been honored with the MarCom Gold Award and the Communicator Award of Distinction. Most recently, the Live Your Dream campaign’s inspirational webisode series featuring a past Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award recipient won a bronze-level Telly Award in the not-for-profit category. The prestigious annual competition honors the best in local, regional and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions and work created for the web. Soroptimist’s webisode series was chosen from among 14,000 entries.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist is an international volunteer women’s organization offering programs that improve social and economic conditions for women and girls. 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, more than $1 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 on how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit <Soroptimist.org>.

###