2026 Live Your Dream Awards
Meet this years recipients
Soroptimist Raleigh: Empowering 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 Dream programs are at the heart of what we do.
Our Programs
Live Your Dream
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.
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
These are the real stories of recipients of the Live Your Dream Awards. We hope they will encourage you to take the steps to achieve your dreams, big or small.
Jennifer C. – 2026 Live Your Dream Awardee
Jennifer is a determined mother of four whose journey reflects extraordinary perseverance. Raised in an environment marked by parental addiction and limited support, she was discouraged from pursuing higher education. Despite these barriers, she remained committed to...
Frances F. – 2026 Live Your Dream Awardee
Frances is a dedicated mother of three who is determined to complete her accounting degree, pass the CPA exam, and eventually start her own home-based CPA business. She is currently attending Strayer University, working toward her bachelor’s degree in accounting, with...
Zion D. – Live Your Dream Awardee
Zion is a first-generation college student who is the primary provider of her household of 4 including her husband, their 1-month-old son, her 11-year-old brother, and herself. She recently returned to work as a customer service representative for an HVAC company....
News and Events
Chef Netta Brings Flavor
Chef Netta Brings Flavor—and Gratitude—to Our March Meeting Soroptimist International of Raleigh was delighted to welcome back Chef Netta, a 2021 Live Your Dream Award recipient, as the caterer for our March 10, 2026 monthly meeting. Chef Netta prepared a delicious...
PuzzleMania VIII
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and community, PuzzleMania VIII raised over $11,000 and welcomed more than 120 participants to our 8th annual speed puzzling event. This year’s success would not have been possible without our corporate partners, whose...
PuzzleMania Now Feb. 7
Due to the upcoming winter storm, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule PuzzleMania to the following Saturday, February 7. It will be at the same location & the same time so we hope to see everyone there! If you CAN attend…Wonderful! We will see you...