Scholarships & Awards

Live Your Dreams Award

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards (formerly the Women’s Opportunity Awards) assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Each year, more than $1.6 million in education grants are awarded to more than 1,200 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence and/or drug and alcohol abuse. 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.

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 Live Your Dream Awards involves three levels of cash awards. The program begins at the local Soroptimist club-level, where award amounts vary. Local-level award recipients become eligible for region-level awards of either $3,000 or $5,000. Region-level award recipients then become eligible to receive one of three international-level awards of $10,000.

Since the Live Your Dream Awards program began in 1972, about $30 million in education grants have been disbursed to assist tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. In 2007, the program received the Associations Advance America Summit Award—ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership's highest level of recognition.

Click here to see if you are eligible: www.soroptimist.org/awards/eligibility.html

If eligible: Complete the application and reference form: www.soroptimist.org/awards/apply.html

Legacy Memorial Award [Formerly called the Viki Cubbage "Dream" Award ]

About The Legacy Memorial Award

In rememberance of long time members of Soroptimist International of Downtown Redding, Viki Cubbage & Alice Gerety, this award honors girls who are making a difference through volunteer service. This club seeks to recognize 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. Recipients of this Award receive a financial Award as well as a matching contribution to the charitable organization of the recipient's choice. Deadline for application is November 15th Nomination Form

Ruby Award

About the Ruby Award - Women Helping Women

Formerly the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award, the Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women recognizes and honors the first federation president, Ruby Lee Minar. A ruby is also a deep red gemstone associated with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, vivacity, power and love: all words embodying the strong and compassionate women who are our award recipients. The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work. Nomination Form

Club Contact Person for Awards and Recognition

QUESTIONS? Email: sidowntownredding@soroptimist.net