Best for Women
Learn more about 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.
Makeeko – 2025 Live Your Dream Awardee
Makeeko is pursuing an associate degree in medical office administration, and currently works full-time in a local hospital in patient records. She has three children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. Educating herself on special needs and advocating for her...
Orrie – 2025 Live Your Dream Awardee
Orrie is currently enrolled at Wake Technical Community College as a dental assisting student. She plans to transition to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Dental Hygiene program at the Adams School of Dentistry in the fall of 2026. She views dental...
Alisha – 2025 Live Your Dream Awardee
Alisha is pursuing a degree in early childhood education at Western Governors University Online, and will graduate in November 2025. Alisha is currently working as a Lead Ancillary Teacher at a Christian Montessori School. She is a dedicated wife and mother to an...
News and Events
Talking Careers at Mount Vernon
Earlier this month, Soroptimist members and colleagues gathered at Mount Vernon Middle School for our 2nd Annual Career Fair. This year's event included 13 volunteers and 26 students (mostly 8th graders). The volunteers represented a wide range of careers including...
Graduation News
We're so pleased to share graduation news from two of our Live Your Dream Award recipients! 2025 LYDA recipient Orrie graduated on May 10 from the Dental Assisting program at Wake Technical Community College. Upon graduation, Orrie completed the required examinations...
2025 Live Your Dream Awards
Soroptimist International of Raleigh (SIR) members, supporters and friends gathered on Saturday, March 22 for an awards luncheon to celebrate the 2025 recipients of the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women®. This year, a total of 10...