San Luis Obispo Soroptimists' Women's Opportunity Award

Project Summary
The San Luis Obispo club, part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. San Luis Obispo Soroptimists participate in Soroptimist’s major service project, the Women’s Opportunity Awards. The program provides women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense. This program, which begins on the club level, was created in 1972 to help women improve their ability to provide for their families. Each year, more than $1 million is provided in cash grants to women in need. Since the program’s inception in 1972, approximately $15 million in Women’s Opportunity Awards has been disbursed to about 25,000 women throughout the countries served by Soroptimist International of the America’s.

Awards Levels
Club-level award amounts vary (Soroptimist International of San Luis Obispo presents allocates up to $3,000 to the Women’s Opportunity Award each year). Club-level recipients then become eligible for region-level awards granted in each of Soroptimist’s 28 regions. The first place region recipients then become candidates for one of three $10,000 finalist awards.

Applications
Applications are available from the Cuesta College Financial Aid Office, or by contacting Mary Sansone at (805) 550-9461. Completed applications are due December 15.

Funding
Soroptimist International of San Luis Obispo raises funds for the award from its members and from communit fundraising activity.

Soroptimist International of San Luis Obispo
Soroptimist International of San Luis Obispo is a volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Founded in 1987, the San Luis Obispo club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas. San Luis Obispo members join with almost 100,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women.