Education
Investing in Dreams
Live Your Dream Award
Globally, our Dream programs empower women and girls everywhere to live their dreams.
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During FY 23/24 2,269 women received a LYDA
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Since 1972, Soroptimists have distributed more than $30 million in education awards to 30,000 women making a better life for themselves and their families.
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This last year, Soroptimist award recipients have reported increasing their self-esteem (93% of recipients), completing their education (86% of recipients), and securing higher paying employment (74% of recipients).
The women receiving these financial awards may use the funds for any costs associated with their educational efforts, including tuition, books, child-care, and transportation. The positive effects are seen in the numbers: When we dare to dream for women and girls, amazing things can happen. They go forward with courage to do great things for themselves, their families, communities, and the world.
Virginia Wagner Award
This award is specific to Soroptimist club states in the Midwestern Region: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Women residing in these states who are attending college or university in pursuit of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree are eligible to apply. Judging is based on effort toward education, scholarship, extracurricular activities, and financial need.
The award is named for Dr. Virginia Wagner a pediatrician from Indianapolis Indiana that served in many leadership roles in the Soroptimist organization.
Violet Richardson Award
This award is a recognition program for a high school female engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools. The award is given to young women whose activities make the community and world a better place.
Each year we select a teenager who volunteers in the community. The winner receives $100 and the charity the winner volunteers for also receives $100.