What is the Live Your Dream Award?


The Live Your Dream Award is a signature program of Soroptimist International of the Americas. It provides vital cash grants to women who:

  • Are the primary financial supporters of their families.
  • Are pursuing higher education or skills training to improve their lives.
  • Have overcome significant obstacles, such as poverty, domestic violence, or personal tragedy.

Unlike many scholarships, these awards are flexible. Recipients can use the funds to cover anything they need to succeed—from tuition and books to childcare and transportation.

Impacting Lives in Our Community

This year, our club has been fortunate to have many excellent applicants. We are proud to announce that we are presenting awards to seven incredible awardees. These women are working hard to build brighter futures for themselves and their families, and their journeys of resilience are truly inspiring.

“This award has not only improved my life and the lives of my children, it has also made an impact in my community.” — Carolyn, Award Recipient

Join Us to Celebrate!

We invite you to meet our current awardees and hear a bit about their journeys at our upcoming meeting:

  • When: Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time.
  • Where: Virtually via Zoom.
  • Special Guest Speaker: The meeting will also feature Jan Carruthers, ED.S., author and educator, who will speak about The Dictionary Project and its role in closing the vocabulary gap for children in high-poverty schools.

How You Can Help

Your support fuels this life-changing work. Whether through donations or spreading the word, you help create a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities worldwide.

Together, we can help more women turn their dreams into reality.

Dictionary Project


At Soroptimist International of Mid-Atlantic Online (SI-MAO), we believe that literacy is the foundation for a brighter future. Recently, we celebrated a major milestone in our mission to support local students through a powerful partnership and a shared passion for education.

Why Dictionaries?

The project was inspired by the work of Janet (Jan) Carruthers, Ed.S., and her initiative, Children’s Literacy Publications. Jan, an experienced educator, developed the Illustrated Dictionary of Everyday Things to help close the “vocabulary gap” that many students in high-poverty schools face.

These aren’t just books; they are tools for success. By providing students with their own dictionaries, we are giving them the words they need to thrive academically and unlock opportunities for life.

A Legacy of Literacy

This project is part of a larger, long-standing commitment by our club. Since being introduced to the initiative by member June Wallace in 2015, we have seen the transformative impact these resources have on reading scores and student confidence.

How You Can Help

Projects like this are only possible through community support and collaboration. Whether through donations or volunteering as a tutor, you can help us continue this inspiring work. For more information on the resources we use, visit Children’s Literacy Publications.

Together, we are giving every child the words they need to thrive.

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