Championing Dreams Worldwide: Soroptimist Is Unlocking Women’s Economic Power
From classrooms to careers, a global volunteer movement is helping women and girls overcome obstacles and rewrite their futures
Across the globe, women and girls continue to face barriers that limit their access to education, training, and economic opportunity, with poverty, violence, discrimination, and lack of resources among them. Stepping into this gap with purpose and optimism is Soroptimist, a global volunteer organization dedicated to providing women and girls, especially those confronting significant obstacles, with the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. With clubs in more than 120 countries and territories, Soroptimist is proving that when women are supported, entire communities rise with them.
Founded more than a century ago, Soroptimist, whose name loosely translates to “best for women,” has grown into an international network of tens of thousands of volunteers united by shared values of gender equality, education, empowerment, and fellowship. While the nonprofit organization’s reach is global, its impact is deeply personal, touching individual lives through practical, targeted programs that turn potential into progress.
Why Education Is the Key to Economic Empowerment
At the core of Soroptimist’s work is a simple yet powerful belief: education is the foundation of economic empowerment. A large body of empirical evidence from international organizations, economic research, and development studies consistently shows that educating women leads to higher lifetime earnings, healthier families, and stronger economies overall. Soroptimist puts this belief into action through its two signature Dream Programs designed to meet women and girls where they are, and help them move forward.
Live Your Dream: Helping Women Build Financial Independence
One of the most impactful initiatives is Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. It provides financial grants to women who are the primary earners for their families and are pursuing education or vocational training. Since 1972, the program has supported tens of thousands of women, distributing more than $2.8 million in awards each year to help cover costs such as tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.
Behind these numbers are powerful stories of resilience. Ashley, a Live Your Dream award recipient, was balancing work, school, and raising three children while navigating a difficult separation. The financial support she received allowed her to reduce work hours and focus on her studies in political science and criminal justice. After graduating in 2024, Ashley went on to pursue law school while training as a certified flight instructor, an outcome she credits in part to the stability and confidence the award gave her during a pivotal moment in her life.
Dream It, Be It: Empowering Girls Before Barriers Take Hold
For younger generations, Soroptimist’s Dream It, Be It: Career Support for girls program offers early intervention and inspiration. Designed for girls facing barriers such as poverty, unstable home environments, or limited access to role models, the program provides career education, mentorship, and confidence-building workshops. Since its launch in 2014, Dream It, Be It has reached nearly 100,000 girls in 15 countries, helping participants set goals, explore career paths, and develop the resilience needed to overcome setbacks.
Evaluations show that girls who complete the program report greater confidence, stronger career aspirations, and a clearer sense of achievable goals for their future. These outcomes can shape the trajectory of their lives long before adulthood.
Powered by Volunteers, Driven by Vision
What makes Soroptimist especially compelling is the community behind the mission. Volunteers around the world give their time, skills, and resources to ensure women and girls are not defined by their circumstances but empowered by opportunity. Looking ahead, Soroptimist has set ambitious goals to reach hundreds of thousands more women and girls through expanded access to education and training, amplifying its impact for generations to come.
Investing in Women, Transforming the World
From individual success stories to global progress, Soroptimist is living proof that investing in women and girls is one of the most powerful ways to build a more equitable, prosperous world. When dreams are supported, they can truly change everything.
