Association of Marketing & Communication Professionals Recognizes Soroptimist’s Innovative Live Your Dream Website <www.liveyourdreamcampaign.org>

November 6, 2007
Contact: Kamali Brooks, Public Relations Manager, 215-893-9000 x 130

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Soroptimist International of the Americas, an international volunteer organization of business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, received the MarCom Gold Award for its Live Your Dream website at www.liveyourdreamcampaign.org.  The website is the online home of Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Campaign, which inspires women and girls from all walks of life to live their dreams and realize their full potential. The campaign also encourages women to pass on their good fortune to others. The campaign was launched in conjunction with International Women’s Day and is celebrated each year on March 8.

“LiveYourDreamCampaign.org is a fun and inspirational online community where both Soroptimists members and the general public can go to celebrate women and the power of their dreams,” stated Soroptimist Executive Director Leigh Wintz. “Whether your dream is to travel the world or to make the world a better place for other women, Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream campaign encourages you to make your dream a reality.”

The website features monthly contests; a column by certified life coach Phyllis Mufson, whose latest article focuses on tips to stay motivated while pursuing your dreams; a blog by Tamanika Ferguson, a past Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards recipient who shares her journey from teenage mom to college student; inspirational stories of women who have overcome enormous obstacles to live their dreams; and a Live Your Dream store offering T-shirts, mugs, magnets, bookmarks, and tote bags. 

“We just had a Words to Dream By contest where visitors could give the name of a book that inspires them for a chance to when a $25 gift certificate to any Borders bookstore.” Wintz said. Winner Suzi Balestra of Atwater, California, listed Elie Wiesel’s “Night” as a book that inspires her, citing that “His words and his life have inspired me daily to appreciate all that I have.” Balestra is currently featured on the homepage of the Live Your Dream website.

“The MarCom Award recognized the fun and innovative nature of this online venture,” added Wintz. “We hope to build on our success and offer an online community that people will want to visit often.”

The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark in the industry. Out of 5,000 entries, Soroptimist was one of only 18 organizations to receive the Gold Award, presented to those entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm.

Soroptimist, a 501 c (3) organization headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., offers programs that improve social and economic conditions for women and girls. Programs include the Women’s Opportunity Awards, which provides cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their lives with the help of additional education and training. Each year, more than $1 million is disbursed through this award-winning program. Visit Soroptimist’s website at www.soroptimist.org to learn more about the organization and its work on behalf of the world’s women and girls.

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