Live Your Dream Award & Application forms
2026 Winner
Ana Arrubla
Runner Up
Natanya Vidales
Previous Award Winner
2025 - Nikole Perez
2024 - Lindsay Sawyer
2023 - Cherie Fowler
2022 - Nicole Nicholas
2021 - Covid
2020 - Claudia L. March
2019 - Kristin Westenhaver & Emily Brown
2018 - Ana Vega Castillo
2017 - Haley Watkins
2016 - Roberta Fox
2015 - April Moles
2014 - Elena One Feather
2013 - Samantha Paxton
2012 - Shawna McCartney
2011 - Jessica Mazakas
2010 - Valerie Piatt
The Live Your Dream Awards Program (formerly the Women’s Opportunity Awards) is Soroptimists major service project and was established by Soroptimist International of the Americas in 1972 to assist women entering or re-entering the workforce in obtaining the education and skills training they need to improve their employment status. It is designed to give women heads of household, who provide the primary source of financial support for their families, the opportunity to achieve their career goals—an opportunity they have not previously had, whether because of economic or social barriers, or personal circumstances. These awards are for women who are attending, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate degree program.
The program begins on the club level, where award amounts vary. Club-level recipients become eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. In addition, Soroptimist grants three $10,000 finalist awards each year. Since the program’s inception, Soroptimist has funded almost $5.5 million in award and assisted about 1,640 women. In total (including local club activity), approximately $15 million in awards has been disbursed to about 22,500 women since the program began in 1972.
Live Your Dream Award - Requirements
Deadline:
Applications are due by November 15th.
Determine if you are eligible
Eligible applicants must be women who:
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Provide the primary financial support for her family (including children, spouse, siblings and/or parents)
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Have financial need
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Are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program
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Reside in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela).
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Have not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award or Live Your Dream Award, are not a Soroptimist member, employee or immediate family of either.