Over the years, the three Soroptimist International Clubs on Whidbey Island have helped local women become nurses, massage therapists, cosmetologists and other careers that provided them with economic empowerment.
This year, the clubs will give away $19,500 in awards to help local women pursue career paths. The annual “Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women” provides awards to women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek and need financial assistance to continue their education or receive training.
The application process involves writing an essay of 750 words or less, preparing a budget and finding references. The application is online at bit.ly/LYDA-apply. The application deadline is Nov. 15.
Recipients can use the Live Your Dream Award to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. This includes tuition, books, childcare, travel, or any other related expense incurred while pursuing an education or training program.
“The idea is to make their lives a little easier and empower them to pursue a career they are passionate about,” said Aaron Wiley of the Coupeville Soroptimist Club.
Soroptimist International of Coupeville, Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor and Soroptimist International of South Whidbey clubs are part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also powers LiveYourDream.org — an online community offering offline volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls.
The three Soroptimist clubs on Whidbey Island will provide cash awards ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 to award recipients, who will then advance to the higher levels of competition Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the potential to receive up to $16,000.
The Live Your Dream Award provides over $2.8 million in cash awards to head-of-household women in need each year, according to a press release from the group. Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than $40 million has helped tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.
A study conducted by The Fels Institute of Government, a research and consulting organization based at the University of Pennsylvania, confirmed the efficacy and impact of this program. It improves the recipients’ quality of life; builds their confidence; strengthens their self-determination and makes them want to, in turn, help others. Helping women in this way has the demonstrated effect of leading to stronger communities, nations and the world.
