THE WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY AWARDS PROGRAM

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 two $3,000 awards. The first place winners continue to compete for federation awards of $10,000.

Most applications are sent directly to local Soroptimist Clubs. Club deadlines for application forms are normally December 15th.

At-large applications are accepted each year from July 1st until December 1st at Soroptimist International of the Americas or by Region Governors. These applications must go through a process of sorting and forwarding to the nearest local club and thus must be submitted by the Decermber 1 deadline. Applications received after December 1st and before July 1st will not be considered.

For more information on at-large application and application materials, go to the Soroptimist International of the Americas site, www.soroptimist.org. Click here to go to the Women's Opportunity Award section of that site.