Ecco Stotts, Region Coordinator, SI Modesto North

The Women’s Opportunity Award, 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.

Women’s Opportunity Awards are cash awards that recipients may use for any expenses related to their educational pursuits. These include tuition and books, housing, child care and transportation. These awards are not scholarships. The program begins at the community level, where award amounts vary. Local winners then become eligible to receive region–level awards.

This year Sierra Pacific Region will choose Women's Opportunity Award winners from each district. There will be four $3,000 awards and one $5,000 award. All five district winners should be recognized at the region conference in May, 2007.

Applications are available from Soroptimist International of the Americas.

Sierra Pacific Region deadline for region applications is March 1, 2007. Please submit your club's winning applications to Regional Chairman, Ecco Stotts, plus 4 copies for judges.

Clubs in the Sierra Pacific Region who do not have applicants may contact Region Chairman to obtain an "at large" application if we have one available.

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. 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.

The Women’s Opportunity Awards are funded by the Soroptimist Foundation, which provides more than $350,000 for this program.

Applications are accepted each year from July 1st until March 1st. Applications received after March 1st and before July 1st will not be considered. For individuals interested in applying for this award, contact the Soroptimist Club near you or visit the Soroptimist International of the Americas website at www.soroptimist.org.

Click here to download SPR Region Transmittal Form.

For additional information contact Ecco Stotts, Region Coordinator

Womens Opportunity Award resources on SIA:

• Women’s Opportunity Awards Frequently Asked Questions
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Club Participation Report 2007
• Women’s Opportunity Awards/Violet Richardson Award 2007-2008 Application Order Form
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Club Participation Instructions
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Club Participation Materials
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Club Transmittal Form
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Certificate (writeable)
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Information Poster
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Information Poster Instructions
• Women’s Opportunity Awards Project Track Summary
• Fact Sheet: Women's Opportunity Awards
• Women's Opportunity Awards Public Awareness Kit
• Women's Opportunity Awards Public Awareness Speech
• Using the Women's Opportunity Awards Public Awareness Speech
• Women's Opportunity Awards Public Service Announcement Guidelines

Revised November 24, 2007