The Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women assist women who provide the primary financial support for their families. Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.
What We Do
Every year, Soroptimist distributes more than $2 million in education grants to about 1,500 women all over the world. Soroptimist International of the TriCities alone has given out over $100,000 in educational grants over the past 15 years.
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.
Every year, our club participates in this program and honours women in our community making the commitment to further education.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards if you:
- Provide primary financial support for yourself and your dependents.
- Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents;
- Have financial need;
- Are enrolled in/have been accepted to a vocational/skills training (trade school) or undergraduate degree program;
- Are motivated to achieve your education and career goals;
- Have not previously been the recipient of a Live Your Dream Award (formerly called the Women’s Opportunity Award);
- Are not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either;
- Do not have a graduate degree.
- Submit two references with your application.
Apply by November 15th, 2022
Our Other Awards
Soroptimist International of the TriCities also offers the following awards that support women and teen girls achieving their dreams:
Give Her Wings Award
Unique to SI of the TriCities, this financial award is similar to Live Your Dream Award, in helping women return to school to further their education, except applicants need not have dependents.
Application Form Reference Form
Apply by January 15th
Spread Your Wings Award
Sponsored by Soroptimist Nancy McCurrach, this award is unique to SI of the TriCities, and is meant to support female immigrants or refugees who have arrived in BC in the last 5 years. You must be enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or undergraduate degree program.
Apply by January 15th
Bea Kelly Teen Volunteer Award
This grant acknowledges young women in Grade 12 who demonstrate that they make a difference in their community and/or school. The winner receives a bursary to help offset some of the costs of her post-secondary education. Preference goes to young women in the TriCities
Apply by January 15th
Ruby Award
This award recognizes women in our community who are making an extraordinary difference in the lives of women and girls locally or internationally, either through efforts in their volunteer, personal, or professional life. Women can be self-nominated or by others.
Apply by January 15th
Why We Do It
Education is the pathway to economically empowering women and girls.
When Women Learn
Families live healthier lives
(Source: Population Reference Bureau)
When Girls Go to School
Their countries are more likely to have greater economic growth
(Source: World Bank)
When Girls Have Educated Mothers
They are more likely to enroll in school and reach higher levels of education
(Source: Population Reference Bureau)
When Women are Educated
They are more likely to have paying jobs and their financial contributions to their families and nations increase
(Source: Population Reference Bureau)
Lucia.
It took tremendous strength to overcome the physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her partner so that Lucia could see herself as a person worthy of success and happiness. After earning her GED, Lucia is now studying to become a special education assistant, with the eventual goal of becoming a teacher.
"I have now gained the confidence and hope to dream again. I am ready to put on my wings.
I feel I have finally earned them."
Our Impact
Since 1972, Soroptimist International of the Americas has distributed more than $30 million in education grants to over 30,000 women, making a better life for themselves and their families.
We invest in women's education because it transforms lives and communities. The Live Your Dream Awards has been recognized for its effectiveness and long-term impact.