Women Helping Women
Learn more about what it means to be a Soroptimist.
Soroptimist Raleigh: We Empower Girls & Women

Soroptimist Raleigh is a local club of Soroptimist International. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women,” and that’s what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.
Our service projects collaborate extensively with women’s groups, governmental agencies, educators, international and statewide coalitions, and concerned citizens. In terms of our local service projects:

Live Your Dream
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards
for Women program is our signature service project. This award aids women who are the primary wage earners for their families and are seeking to improve their economic status by gaining additional skills, training and education.

Live Your Dream Plus
In our “Live Your Dream Plus” program we follow up with our awardees for up to three years, mentoring them to afford ongoing support both non-financial as well as financial. With our Live Your Dream Plus program, our awardees know that there is a network of women who are ready to help in any number of ways.

Dream It Be It
Dream It Be It targets girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. It provides girls with access to professional role models, career education and the resources to live their dreams.
Real Stories
Here are a few stories of some recipeints of the Live Your Dream Awards. Perhaps they will encourage you to take the steps to achieve your dreams, big or small.
Portia – 2022 Live Your Dream Awardee
Portia is currently pursuing an associate degree in nursing at Wake Technical Community College. She works part-time while getting her education and raising two children ages 3 and 7. There have been many struggles Portia has dealt with during her journey, from...
Khadijah – 2022 Live Your Dream Awardee
Khadijah is currently pursuing her associate degree in nursing at Wake Technical Community College and has one more semester to go. Growing up, Khadijah lacked the resources she needed. Both parents were in the street life dealing drugs and therefore, her young life...
Shabria – 2022 Live Your Dream Awardee
Shabria is currently pursuing an associate degree in medical office administration at Wake Technical Community College studying medical coding. She is a full-time medical receptionist and single mother. Shabria understands the importance for people to receive the...
News and Events
Live Your Dream Awards Tea April 30, 2022
The Raleigh club was pleased to once again gather in person to celebrate our four recipients of the Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards for Women. The celebration place at the Five Points Center for Active Adults in Raleigh. Over 50 people attended the event...
Member Spotlight: Shirley Hall
We are starting a new feature where we spotlight member stories! For our inaugural spotlight, we are featuring one of our founding members, Shirley Hall. Shirley Hall Grew up in Asheville, NC, the middle child of 3. Her parents divorced when she was 14. Her Dad...
Announcing the 2022 Live Your Dream Award Recipients
We are pleased to announce that we have awarded four recipients—Shabria, Khadijah, Lourdes and Portia—with our Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards for Women. The Live Your Dream Awards assist women who provide the primary source of financial support for...