The Women's Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist's major service project,
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.

Women's Opportunity Awards are 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.

Eligible applicants must be female heads of household,
who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a
vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate
degree program. Applications are accepted each year from
July 1st until December 1st. Applicants must demonstrate
financial need, and cannot have already earned an
undergraduate degree. Only residents of Soroptimist
International of the Americas' 18 member countries and
territories are eligible to apply.

Club winners become eligible to receive region–level
awards. Every year, 29 geographic regions throughout
North, Central and South America, and Asia each grant
one $5,000 first–place award, and one or more $3,000
awards. The first place winners continue on to compete
for federation awards of $10,000.