| The Women's Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist's major project. Through the program, clubs in 19 countries and territories assist 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 $1.5 million is disbursed through cash awards at various levels of the organization. Recipients, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse, may use the awards to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare and transportation.
Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Only residents of Soroptimist International of the Americas' 19 member countries and territories are eligible to apply. Since the Women's Opportunity Awards program began in 1972, about $25 million has been disbursed to help tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. In 2007, the Women's Opportunity Awards received the Associations Advance America Summit Award—ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership's highest level of recognition. |
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY AWARD NORTHWESTERN REGION
2010-2011 Honoree – Sally Osborn
Sally’s career goal is to attend Pacific Lutheran University to obtain a four-year Bachelor of Science degree program in Chemistry. She anticipates that she will graduate in May of 2012. Her ultimate goal is a PhD in Chemistry. Ultimately, she would like to be a good role model for her children and show them that it’s possible to achieve their dreams no matter what you may have to overcome. Sally is a single mom with two children, Gabriel and Joshua.
Sally endured mental abuse from her husband but he particularly took his anger out on their son Gabriel. She felt she had no rights in her family or her life. Somehow, she left him and started school. Later that same month, she lost her Dad. Then she had no family support. By returning to school at PLU, she found a sense of happiness and renewed strength. She joined a new organization at school called “Green Dot”. It is a movement to turn our culture into one that will not tolerate violence. With help and support from her counselors, professors and friends she can face the daily struggles.
