Women's Opportunity Award

 Violet Richardson Award Making a Difference for Women
Every young girl dreams of a future filled with hope and promise.............

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE AMERICAS
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY AWARD

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. 

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
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the Women's Opportunity Award, you must:
  1) Be a woman with primary financial responsibility for supporting your family (including children, spouse, siblings and/or parents;
  2) Attend or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program;
  3) Have financial need;
  4) Be motivated to achieve your educational and career goals;
  5)  Reside in one of the Soroptimist International of the Americas' member countries and territories.
Please Note:  Previous Women's Opportunity recipients are ineligible to apply.  Women who already have an undergraduate degree are ineligible to apply. 
Soroptimists, employees of Soroptimists and the immediate families of both are ineligible to apply. 

To download application and mailing instructions from the Soroptimist International of the Americas' Web Site  at: www.soroptimist.org

Making a Difference for Women Award 

Each Year this club
honors women in our community
at a luncheon for this award.

Soroptimist clubs honor women in their communities who use their
personal or professional influence to improve the lives of women and girls.
      The Making a Difference for Women Award acknowledges women who are working to improve the lives of women and girls through their personal or professional activities. Their efforts help to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, working to secure health services for low-income women, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbing companies to provide on-site child care.

     The program enables local Soroptimist clubs and the Soroptimist organization to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls. The program begins on the club level, where the type of recognition varies. Award winners at the club level are eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. The Federation finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charitable organization of her choice.

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.

  The deadline for applications to be to the club is December 01. 
To request a VRA application - please e-mail here
Our Club Awards 2 Memorial Scholarships - The Judy Melkesian and the Naomi Willoughby Scholarships

To deserving female East Coachella valley high school seniors.
The above mentioned scholarships are awarded by our club And are NOT part of Soroptimist International's award program.   To request applications - Link Here