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.

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. 
 

                                              
Our club's 2011 recipient of the Woman's Opportunity Award is a strong, confidant, determined and goal-oriented woman and mother—someone other's look up to.  She is the house manager for YWCA’s Living Free Sober Living House, and helps clients see that it is possible and desirable to remain sober.  At the same time, she attends college to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Diagnostic Sonography.                                                                 

2010 club level 1st place winner is a mother of 5 children.  She attends California State University San Bernardino and is working toward a Bachelor Degree in social work.  Her goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker in the mental health field.

2010 club level 2nd place winner is currently working towards an Associate in Science Degree for Veterinary Technology.  Her career goal is to obtain a doctorate in veterinary medicine.

2009 club level winner is a widow and mother of four children.  She attends  Sage College to become a court reporter.

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 be  be a business owner.    
 

2008 club level 2nd place winner 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 Soroptimist Ruby 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. 
 

	2011 club level Soroptimist Ruby Award winner is Gloria. She has spent the past 8 years volunteering her services for homeless women and children.  Currently, Gloria is the lead case manager and intake assessment specialist at King Transitional Living Shelter at March Air Reserve Base.  The residents are required to set goals to find employment, establish a savings plan and savings budget and then find permanent housing.  Gloria provides a series of weekly workshops addressing health issues, drug and alcohol use, parenting skills and self-esteem.
	2010 club level Ruby Award winner and Golden West Region finalist is Faye.  She is an educator for 30 years and middle school counselor at Badger Springs Middle School in Moreno Valley.  Faye is widely respected for her development of S.K.A.T.E.R.S, a mentoring and service learning program, and Family Counseling Night, a program with a zero budget that enables middle school students and their family members to attend group counseling sessions in the evening on Empowering Girls, Anger Management, Getting Accurate Information Now (G.A.I.N.), and  Incarcerated Family Member Support.  Faye also co-facilitates groups for students dealing with anger, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, low self-esteem, grief and loss, self mutilation, suicide attempts and family issues.  She believes strongly that "if you do prevention, you will not need so much intervention.  When students feel connected, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors."  Empowering youth continues to be the focus of all Faye's endeavors.
	2009 club level winners are Hernethia (pictured) and Bobbie. Hernethia is a retired school teacher and administrator.  Her work with Cultural Heritage Center,  a non-profit group in Moreno Valley, helps low-income youth with free instruction in music, drama, dance and academic tutoring.  Bobbie has worked with local churches, the City of Moreno Valley, several service organizations and concerned citizens to form Community Assistance Program (CAP) in Moreno Valley.  She has been a regular CAP volunteer since its inception in 1991, assisting the director and meeting with applicants to determine eligibility.
2008 club level 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.