Awards

Every year, Soroptimist distributes more than $2 million in education grants to about 1,500 women all over the world. Over half of our Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families we serve have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction.

Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation. This unique program is helping women find their voice and purpose while offering the resources they need to succeed.

The Live Your Dream Awards offers three levels of cash awards. . Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the potential receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, pay student loans, or find reliable childcare so she can worry less about how to pay her bills and focus on reaching her dreams.

In addition to providing the primary financial support for their families, eligible applicants must be enrolled in, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program and must demonstrate financial need. Also, please note only residents of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries and territories are eligible to apply for the educational grants.

The Violet Richardson Award honors young women between the ages of 14 and 18 for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty.

This is a program conducted by Founder Region. As a volunteer service organization, Soroptimist believes that by acknowledging young women's volunteer involvement now, they will grow up to be vital active members of the community. The Violet Richardson Award honors young women between the ages of 14 and 18 for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty.

The award is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in Alameda County in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It's what you do that counts.” She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.

Eligibility
• Applicants must be young women 14 to 18 years of age.
• Applicants must be engaged in volunteer activity.

Previous winners of the award are also ineligible. Soroptimist members, SIA employees and
their immediate families are not eligible for any Soroptimist monetary award available to the public. Immediate family is defined to include spouse/partner, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren by adoption, blood or marriage.

Who is the Violet Richardson Award Honoree?
• A young woman who is caring, compassionate, creative and most of all committed to making
the world a better place.
• A young woman who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in both identifying a problem
 and in trying to solve it. Taking a first step in making a difference in the world shows both
 leadership and initiative.
• A young woman who has had significant and noteworthy accomplishments as a volunteer.

Eligible applicants can submit applications between July 1 - December 15.
Send application to Ann Jadro-Bettiga at 
ajadro-bettiga@coastccu.org  or sieureka@soroptimist.net.

VIOLET RICHARDSON WARD
PRESIDENT OF  THE FIRST SOROPTIMIST CLUB
"It's WHAT You Do That Counts!"

This award honors non-Soroptimist women who are making extraordinary efforts on behalf of other women. This award gives the club and the entire organization the opportunity to say “thank you” and encourage others to explore ways to assist women.

 The Soroptimist Ruby Award recipient should be a woman who:

• Has worked to improve the lives of women and girls.
• Has had a significant impact on the lives of women and girls inspired and encourages other women.

This award is named in honor of  Ruby Lee Minar, the first Federation President.  A ruby is a gemstone, also associated with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, power and love - all words embodying our award recipients.  

Contact us if you know of a woman who has helped women and girls in our community so we may honor her with the recognition that she so richly deserves.
 
Nominations can be submitted  between July 1 - January 15. 
Submit nomination form to sieureka@soroptimist.net.

Ruby Lee Minar
First Federation President

This award is for a high school senior girl from Eureka High School.
Meets one of the following criteria:

• exhibits civic duty
• active in her school  and/or community
• going into the teaching field

Nominations are accepted between July 1 - January 15. 
Apply through the Violet Richardson Award above.

The Courage Award honors  women who have  overcome obstacles and  help other women or girls in our community.
Eligible candidates are one of the following:

• veteran
• first responder
• focuses on helping other women

Nominations are accepted between July 1 - January 15. 
Submit nomination form to sieureka@soroptimist.net.