Pictured from left are Soroptimist Debbie Derham, Chair of the Live Your Dream project, winners Kayla Griffin, Paula Blair, Amy Conway and Soroptimist President Jane Bondshu. Submitted photo
The winners of Soroptimist International of Mariposa’s 2026 Live Your Dream Award are first place winner Kayla Griffin, second place winner Paula Blair and third place winner Amy Conway.
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards help women cover costs of education and training programs they need to improve their employment prospects.
Through Soroptimist International of the Americas, each year over $2.8 million is provided in cash grants to women in need.
Live Your Dream Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their education or training including books, childcare, tuition and transportation.
In addition to providing the primary financial support for their families, eligible applicants must be enrolled in, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program and must demonstrate financial need.
Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than $49 million in education awards has helped over 47,000 women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.
A study conducted by The Fels Institute of Government, a research and consulting organization based at the University of Pennsylvania, confirmed the efficacy and impact of this program.
It improves the recipients’ quality of life; builds their confidence; strengthens their self-determination and makes them want to, in turn, help others.
Helping women in this way has the demonstrated effect of leading to stronger communities, nations and the world.
Soroptimist International of Mariposa is currently seeking new members.
For more information about Soroptimist please visit Soroptimist.org, call Jane Bondshu at (209) 769-2263 or find Soroptimist International of Mariposa on Facebook.
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