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.
Star – 2019 Live Your Dream Awardee
Star is pursuing an Associate in Arts degree with a concentration in Urban Planning. Upon graduating from Wake Technical Community College, she will transfer to Eastern Carolina University to complete her Bachelor’s degree. Star fled an abusive relationship, moving...
Kristin – 2019 Live Your Dream Awardee
Kristin is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Healthcare Administration at Wake Technical Community College. Her goal is to gain education and embark on a career that will allow her to fully provide for herself and her two children. Kristin is currently employed as a...
Demetrica – 2019 Live Your Dream Awardee
Demetrica will receive her Associate’s Degree in Human Services Technology and Substance Abuse from Wake Technical Community College in December 2019. She plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at UNC-Greensboro. Demetrica has worked with children and adults with...
News and Events
Soroptimist Raleigh Celebrates Completion of Club Year
Members of Soroptimist of Raleigh wrapped up the 2022 - 2023 club year with a lively dinner social at Cantina 18 in Raleigh. In addition to a review of the accomplishments of the past year by President Betsy Miller, newly elected board members were installed by...
Summer PuzzleMania: Saturday August 5
Love puzzles? Join us for a FUN fundraiser to benefit Soroptimist Raleigh's Dream Programs for women and girls. In this FUN-raising event, teams of four compete to assemble an identical 500-piece jigsaw puzzle in the fastest time. There are cash prizes for the first...
Member Profile: Sarita Harkness
From Soroptimist International of Panama to Soroptimist International of Raleigh Sarita Harkness was born in Panama of immigrant grandparents. On her paternal side were Syrian Jews, from Jerusalem and Alexandria, respectively. On her mother’s side, her grandfather was...