Golden West Region

Women's Opportunity Award Violet Richardson Award Ruby Award

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE AMERICAS
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY AWARD

The Women's Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist's major service project.

      The Women's Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist's major service project, was established by Soroptimist International of the Americas in 1972 to assist women entering or re-entering the workforce in obtaining the education and skills training they need to improve their employment status. Women's Opportunity Awards are designed to give women heads of household, who provide the primary source of financial support for their families, the opportunity to achieve their career goals—an opportunity they have not previously had, whether because of economic or social barriers, or personal circumstances. These awards are for women who are attending, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate degree program.  For requirements and application - Link Here

Program Structure
      The program begins on the club level, where award amounts vary. Club-level recipients become eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. In addition, Soroptimist grants three $10,000 finalist awards each year. Since the program’s inception, Soroptimist has funded almost $5.5 million in Women’s Opportunity Awards and assisted about 1,640 women. In total (including local club activity), approximately $15 million in Women’s Opportunity Awards has been disbursed to about 22,500 women since the program began in 1972.  To download application and mailing instructions from the Soroptimist International of the Americas' Web Site  at: www.soroptimist.org


Formerly the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award, the newly-named Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women recognizes and honors the first federation president, Ruby Lee Minar.  The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work. Contact your nearest club for more information.
The Violet Richardson Award Program

Honoring Young Women 14 - 17 for Volunteer Action 
You Must Contact Your Local Club for an Application

      Named for the president of the first Soroptimist club, the Violet Richardson Award honors girls who are making a difference through volunteer service. Each year, Soroptimist clubs honor girls who donate their time and energy to causes that make the community and world a better place — such as working to end discrimination and poverty, assisting women and children who are victims of domestic violence, or mentoring young girls. The program begins on the Soroptimist club level, with club recipients becoming eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. At the Federation (SIA) level, one winner is chosen to receive a finalist award, which includes a contribution of $2,500 to the charitable organization of the recipient’s choice.

  To contact your nearest club - direct inquires to this e-mail address
 

Each year Soroptimist Clubs choose the Award Programs in which it wishes to participate.
The clubs seek applicants out of their local communities.
 Link Here For A List of Clubs in the Golden West Region