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Live Your Dream Awards

Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards program is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

What We Do

Every year, Soroptimist International of America distributes more than $2.9 million in education awards to over 2,000 women all over the world.


Over half of our Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families we serve have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation.

2025 Live Your Dream Recipents

Summer Aguilar

Alyssa Avila

Jamesha Elliott

Tiffany McFarland

Nakia McNamee

Naomi Mitchell

Aeme Paz

Mariah Quinney

Vanessa Ruvalcaba

Ashton Smith

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Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

if you are a woman who:

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  • Provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.

  • Has financial need.

  • Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

  • Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.

  • Resides in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela).

  • Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.

  • Does not have a graduate degree.

  • Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either a member or an employee.

  • Has a Social Security number or Tax ID number. (This is required for tax purposes and is only necessary if you are a resident of the United States. You will not be asked to share this information unless you have been given an award.)

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Dr. Candace Cole-Kelly

My favorite Soroptimist event is the Live Your Dream Awards, as it directly supports women striving for education and economic independence. Seeing the resilience, determination, and gratitude of the recipients is deeply moving. The event highlights the true impact of our work, reinforcing the importance of our mission. It is a celebration of strength, perseverance, and the power of opportunity. Knowing that we are changing lives through education and empowerment makes this event especially meaningful.

Lakewood/Long Beach
2026 Live Your Dream Awards

Mom and Son

Become a 2026 Live Your Dream Award Recipient.

Apply Today!

Table Centerpieces

Join us for an evening of women empowerment as we honor and recognize our 2026 Live Your Dream Award Recipients!

Purchase Tickets!

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Your support gives women the help they need to overcome obstacles—like poverty, domestic and sexual violence, and addiction—and follow their education dreams.

Sponsor Today!

Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach

P.O. Box 241

Lakewood, CA 90714

soroptimistlkwdlbc@gmail.com

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501(c)3 tax exempt organization Tax ID # 95-6060450

LEGAL

All materials posted on this site are subject to copyrights owned by Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach and/or other individuals or entities. Any reproduction or retransmission of all or part of any document found on this site is expressly prohibited, unless Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach or the copyright owner of the material has granted its prior written consent. Copyright 2024—Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach.

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