Soroptimist International Awards Programs
Woman's Opportunity Awards
The Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist’s major project. The program
provides women with cash grants to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education and
additional skills training. The ultimate goal of the program is to help women improve their economic status
by preparing them to enter or re-enter the workplace. Unlike other award programs, the Women’s
Opportunity Awards can be used for books, child care, transportation or any other expense that will help a
woman reach her educational goal.
History
The Women's Opportunity Awards program was created in 1972 by popular vote of the Soroptimist
membership. Because of their interest in "upward mobility for women," members voted overwhelmingly for
the creation of an award for training or retraining that would enable women to obtain higher level jobs. In
December 1997, the Soroptimist Board of Directors adopted the Women's Opportunity Awards as
Soroptimist's major service project because the program best exemplifies the aims of the organization.
Program Structure
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. Soroptimist disburses more than $1 million annually through this program to help
women reclaim their dreams of a better life for themselves and their family. Since 1972, Soroptimist has
disbursed about $20 million and helped more than 25,000 women through the Women’s Opportunity
Awards program.
Deadline:
Applications are due each year on December 1. Applications must be emailed or mailed to Soroptimist
International of Greater Las Vegas by December 1. See addresses below.
Step 1: Determine if you are eligible
Eligible applicants must be women who:
- Provide the primary financial support for her family (including children, spouse, siblings and/or
parents)
- Have financial need
- Are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate
degree program
- Reside in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela).
- Have not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award; are not a
Soroptimist member, employee or immediate family of either.
Step 2: Click here to fill out the application.
Note: Once all parts of the form are completed, select "Save As" from the "File" menu and change the file
name (for example, "WOAonlineappLG.pdf," where "LG" are your initials.) Click "Save."
Step 3: Obtain References
You will need two different people to fill out the reference form ("ReferenceForm.pdf"). Please email this
form to your references and request that they email the forms back to you when completed.
Step 4: Email or mail your application
Completed applications must be emailed or mailed to Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas.
Email to: kharneymoore@cox.net or greaterlasvegas@soroptimistsnr.org
or you may mail for receipt by December 1:
Kim Harney-Moore
2303 Carinth Way
Henderson, NV 89074
If you have any questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact the Kim Harney-Moore.