Helping improve the lives of local women and girls

Live Your Dream Education & Training Award for Women

Talbot Soroptimists participate in Soroptimist International of the Americas' Live Your Dream Awards that provides women who are the primary wage earners for their families with a financial award to help with costs associated with their efforts to gain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense. The LYD Award 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, approximately $15 million in Live Your Dream Awards has been disbursed to about 25,000 women throughout the countries served by Soroptimist International of the America's.

Award Levels - Club-level award amounts vary (Soroptimist International of Talbot County presents a $2,000 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 - Each year, award applications are available HERE for eligible women on Maryland's Mid-Shore. They may also be requested by contacting a club member or sending your request by email. Completed application deadline for 2017 award has passed.

Funding - Talbot Soroptimists raises funds for the award through our annual Girls Night Out in November, Jigsaw Puzzle Jamboree and our Annual Flower Sale in early Spring, along with other fundraisers throughout the year.

Violet Richardson Award

Talbot Soroptimists participate in Soroptimist International of the Americas' Violet Richardson Award that recognizes young women who make the community and world a better place through their volunteer efforts. Volunteer actions that benefit women or girls are of particular interest. The award program is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, "It's what you do that counts." She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.

Talbot County presents $1,000 to the winner and $500 to her designated volunteer organization. Club-level recipients then become eligible for one region-level award granted in each of Soroptimists 28 regions.

Applications - Each year, award applications are available HERE for eligible girls on Maryland's Mid-Shore. They may also be requested by contacting a club member or sending your request via email to info@talbotsoroptimist.org. Completed applications deadline for 2017 award has passed.

Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women

The Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women recognizes and honors the first federation president, Ruby Lee Minar. A ruby is also a deep red gemstone associated with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, vivacity, power and love: all words embodying the strong and compassionate women who are our award recipients.

Eligibility Requirements - Women who are improving the lives of other women or girls through their professional or personal activities are eligible for the Soroptimist Ruby Award. 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. Previous award winners, Soroptimists and Soroptimist employees are not eligible for the award.