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.

The program begins on the club level, where award amounts vary. Club-level recipients become eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. In addition, Soroptimist grants three $10,000 finalist awards each year. Since the program’s inception, Soroptimist has funded almost $5.5 million in Women’s Opportunity Awards and assisted about 1,640 women. In total (including local club activity), approximately $15 million in Women’s Opportunity Awards has been disbursed to about 22,500 women since the program began in 1972. 

2008 club level 1st place winner is a single mother of 2 children.  She is attending classes to obtain her AA in applied science with emphasis on web design, and she hopes to one day own her own business. 

2008 club level 2nd place winner (pictured on the right) is a single mother of 4 children.  She is taking her final class to obtain an AA degree in nursing, and her career goal is to be a registered nurse. 

The Making a Difference for Women Award acknowledges women who are working to improve the lives of women and girls through their personal or professional activities. Their efforts help to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, working to secure health services for low-income women, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbing companies to provide on-site child care. The program enables local Soroptimist clubs and the Soroptimist organization to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls. 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 receives a $5,000 donation to the charitable organization of her choice. 
 

2008 club level Making a Difference For Women winner is Dorothy, a retired nurse and passionate volunteer in a variety of parish ministries at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church.  She has worked in St. Christopher Food Bank since 1986, and has served as the ministry coordinator for the past eight years.  Each month, the food bank serves over 500 needy families in the community, and the majority of clients are women and their dependent children.  Additional food supplies are provided to housing centers for unwed mothers and homeless women.  Besides overseeing the food bank administration, Dorothy recruits donations from community retailers and helps with the purchase, sorting and distribution of food each week.