Awards and Grants

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community–based and international projects that benefit women and girls.

The name, Soroptimist, means "best for women," and that's what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.

Soroptimist members belong to local clubs, which determine the focus of volunteer work to their communities. Club projects range from renovating domestic violence shelters and providing mammograms to low-income women, to sponsoring self-esteem workshops for teenage girls. In addition, Soroptimists participate in organization-wide programs including: Women's Opportunity Award, the Violet Richardson Award, and the Ruby Award for those Making a Difference for Women.

Soroptimist International Northwestern Region in addition to the awards and grants above also honor journalists making a difference for women & girls with the Jane Velez-Mitchell Journalism Award and women continuing onto higher education with the Fellowship Award.

Awards / Grants Quick Links:

Women's Opportunity Award
Violet Richardson Award
Ruby Award
Jane Velez-Mitchell Journalism Award
Fellowship Award

Our Structure

Soroptimist International Northwestern Region

Soroptimist International Northwestern Region improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

Our region structure includes 103 clubs, over 3,000 members, and services five states in the Pacific Northwest of the Unites States of America. Our headquarters located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is Soroptimist International of the Americas" which is one of four organizations under its parent organization, Soroptimist International, which is headquartered in Cambridge, England.

Soroptimist International has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations and is a recognized authority on matters that women value most. Visit www.soroptimist international.org for complete information on current projects. Read Soroptimist International's magazine, The International Soroptimist

The other three organizations belonging to Soroptimist International are:

Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland Headquartered in Cheshire, England, comprises more than 11,000 members in 398 clubs in 30 countries.
Soroptimist International of Europe Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, comprises more than 33,800 members in 1,220 clubs in 67 countries.
Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, comprises more than 2,650 members in 138 clubs in 12 countries.