Scholarship & Awards

Violet Richardson Award:

Given to young women, 14-17 years old who contribute significantly to their community through volunteer efforts which reflect at least one of the Soroptimist areas of service. Recipients’ and their choice of volunteer organizations share a cash grant.. The winner is eligible for further awards from the Sierra Nevada Region & the Federation (S.I.A.)

• Deadline: December 31, 2011
• Regional Deadline: February 1, 2012
• Presentation: May 16, 2012
• contact via email; vra@sireno.org

Download the Violet Richardson Award PDF and read more here.

The Ruby Award – For Women Helping Women

Acknowledges women who, through their personal or professional activities, are working to improve the lives of other women and girls. Examples include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbing companies to provide on-site childcare. The program begins on the club level, where the type of recognition varies. Award winners at the club level are eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. The finalist at the Federation Level receives a $5,000 donation to the charitable organization of her choice.

Eligibility Requirements for Ruby Award

Women who are improving the lives of other women or girls through their professional or personal activities are eligible for the Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women. These women have identified and focused on a need in their communities, which has significantly contributed to the improvement of women and girls’ lives. Although Soroptimist clubs are free to honor a woman for a lifetime of good work, the majority of the work should have occurred within the past two years.

• Deadline: December 31, 2011
• Regional Deadline: February 1, 2012
• Presentation: May 16, 2012
• contact via email; rubyaward@sireno.org

Download the The Ruby Award - Women Helping Women PDF and read more here.

Women’s Opportunity Award:

This award is designed to provide assistance, through a cash grant, to women who serve as primary breadwinners for their families and who are seeking to improve their employment status by gaining additional education and skills.

Criteria for Selection:

1. Nominee is nominated and application is filled out
2. Person is to be the primary financial responsibility for supporting her family (which may include children, spouse, siblings and/or parents).
3. Attend or been accepted to a vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate degree program.
4. Have financial need.
5. Be motivated to achieve her educational and career goals.
6. Reside in one of the Soroptimist International countries.
7. Nominee is ineligible to apply if she is a Soroptimist member, employee or immediate family or has received Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award in the past.