South Atlantic Region - Service Programs

The signature program of Soroptimist International of the Americas, the Women's Opportunity Award, is a cash award, not a scholarship, for female heads of household, who are attending, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate degree program. The program begins at the club level, where award amounts vary. Local winners then become eligible to receive region level awards funded by SIA - one $5,000 first place award, and two $3,000 awards. The South Atlantic Region also funds one $1,000 award. First place winners become eligible to receive one of three $10,000 finalist awards awarded at the Federation level.

In addition to education enrollment requirements above, applicants must demonstrate financial need, and cannot have already earned an undergraduate degree. Applications are accepted each year beginning July 1st until December 15th, and should be submitted to the local club, or, if no club is available, to the Region. For more information or to receive an application contact info@soroptimist-sar.org

The Violet Richardson Award is a recognition program for young women ages 14-17 engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools. The award is given to young women whose volunteer activities make the community and world a better place. Volunteer actions that benefit women and girls are of particular interest. The award is based solely on her volunteer work and not academic achievement.

The award is in honor of the president of the first Soroptimist Club, Violet Richardson, a woman of action, whose spirit and sense of personal responsibility were demonstrated by her lifelong commitment to volunteering in her community.

The program begins at the club level, where award amounts vary. Local winners then become eligible to receive a Federation funded region level award of $1,000. An additional $1000 is given in her honor to the organization where she is most active as a volunteer. Each region –level honoree is eligible for the federation-level award. This honor culminates in one young woman receiving international recognition, the Violet Richardson Award trophy, a personal gift from Soroptimist and $2,500 given in her honor to the organization where she is the most active as a volunteer.

Deadline for individuals to submit an application to their local club is December 1, 2009. Deadline for clubs to submit their honoree to the region is February 1, 2010. For more information or to receive an application contact info@soroptimist-sar.org

The Soroptimist Ruby (Making a Difference for Women) Award honors women who, through their professional and or personal efforts, are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women and girls. Honorees are women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls. Their work has had significant impact, and also inspires and encourages women and girls. The community is invited to nominate candidates for this award. The majority of the nominees work to date must have occurred within the prior 24 months, although nominees will be recognized for all such work efforts.

South Atlantic Region recognizes three winners from among the entries received from clubs. A cash award will be presented to the first place winner, and the first place application will be forwarded to SIA level judging. The federation winner is honored with a $5,000 donation given to the charitable organization of her choice. Regional second and third place winners will receive plaques. Deadline for Clubs to submit their nominee to Region is January 15, 2010. For more information contact info@soroptimist-sar.org

The Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence is an ongoing effort to raise awareness about a little addressed domestic violence issue: domestic violence as a workplace concern. The federation provides information and materials for clubs to use to participate in the program. The materials include copy-ready hot-line cards with the recommendation that clubs distribute them in women’s rest rooms in a workplace setting. The campaign takes place on November 25th, the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women. SIA also offers Domestic Violence Workplace Guidelines, containing information and instructions for members and clubs to implement domestic violence policies in their workplaces.