Soroptimists: Empowering women for success

“We will put forth our best efforts to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.” That is the pledge Soroptimists have lived up to for over a century now that still rings true today.

With human rights and gender equality as its main advocacy, the Soroptimist International of the Americas works on grassroots projects that directly help women and girls access their human rights across the world.

Its strong network of 66,000 members and supporters spread across North America, Latin America, and the Pacific, which includes Guam and the Northern Marianas, offers more than $2 million in education grants to about 1,500 women all over the world.

Most of those who have benefitted from the program are women and families who have overcome life’s obstacles, including domestic and sexual abuse, poverty, teen pregnancy and drug or alcohol addiction.

Aligned with the goals and mission of the Soroptimist International of the Americas, the Northern Marianas chapter also offers the former’s key project known as “Live Your Dream” since its founding in 2013.

As a nationwide Soroptimist program, the Live Your Dream initiative assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.

Live Your Dream Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition, and transportation.

Over the past 10 years, the Northern Marianas Chapter has already received over 150 applicants, according to chapter president Maureen Sebangiol, with 20 women successfully winning the grant money.

For this year, a record number of 23 women applied for the grant and the Northern Marianas chapter awarded a total of $3,500 to four recipients who were honored in a February 10 celebration.

For those who have been awarded the Live Your Dream grant, the impact on their individual lives has been life-altering.

“One hundred percent of the winners of a ‘Live Your Dream’ award have stated that it made a difference in their lives. If the monetary award did not change their lives, feeling seen and heard is what they have accomplished. As a woman and as a girl, gaining self-confidence and the assurance that your voice matters are life-changing. In fact, Leah Murphy, who is our 2014 winner, went on to achieve her doctorate degree,” said Sebangiol.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must be able to show that they are a woman who is pursuing her undergraduate or trades degree and that they are also the financial head of the household. The eligible applicant must be enrolled in, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program and must demonstrate financial need.

The Northern Marianas chapter has also begun a new service program called “Baby Laundry Baskets,” which provides baby starter kits for eligible families identified by social workers at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. who need resources upon the infant and mother’s discharge from the hospital.

In partnership with D&Q International, the “Baby Laundry Baskets” contain essentials for the newborn, which include disposable diapers and wipes, baby clothes, and a baby bath towel as well as laundry detergent, bleach and laundry softener and, a roll of quarters for the laundromat.

“We were able to raise $337 from a raffle during our awarding ceremony [in February] and this will serve as the seed money for the ‘Baby Laundry Baskets’ project,” said Sebangiol.

Throughout its century-old history, the Soroptimists have been known to leave a far-reaching and positive influence in their communities. In fact, the impact of the Soroptimists’ positive influence on society is the basis of three of the five initiatives laid down by the United Nations for the 2024 International Women’s Day theme of “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.”

The Live Your Dream Awards is a direct response to the first two UN IWD initiatives, which are investing in women and ending poverty. Through training and education provided by the Live Your Dream Awards, women get substantial resources to allow them to gain education and realize their career goals, thus helping bridge the financial gap resulting from the inattention given to gender equality measures.

The Soroptimists’ mission also supports the third UN IWD initiative of implementing gender-responsive financing through the creation of a financial landscape that is responsive to the unique needs and challenges women face.

Sebangiol says it is critical for women to get paid and be given benefits equal to what is being given to men so that they can provide for themselves and their families.

“A woman is more likely to become a single parent and head of household post-divorce or separation. Her single income should be sufficient to allow a decent quality of life for her and her children without having to rely on food stamps, Medicaid, and other government subsidies. When a woman achieves success either academically or professionally, it is her family, her village, and the island community that benefits as well.”