The purpose of Awards & Recognition is to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of individuals, and to recognize women, youth, businesses and community leaders for their contributions to community service and in particular to the advancement of the status of women. These awards are consistent with the six areas of Soroptimist Service: Health, Environment, Education, Economic and Social Development, Human Rights/Status of Women and International Goodwill & Understanding.

(NOTE: Numbers of awards and amounts may vary from year to year.)

Making a Difference for Women Awards acknowledges women who, through their personal or professional activities, are working to improve the lives of women and girls. The work of these women helps to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are ordinary women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbying companies to provide on-site child care. The program enables local Soroptimist clubs and the Soroptimist organization to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls.

This program begins on the club level with an award of $250-$500.
The region level is $500-$1000

Women’s Opportunity Award - $500-1000: This award helps women reclaim their dream through a cash grant available to women who serve as primary breadwinners for their families and who are improving their employment status by gaining additional education and skills. First place club recipients are eligible for consideration at the Regional level and if selected, the Federation level. Soroptimist International of the Americas grants Women’s Opportunity Awards totaling almost $1 million each year.

This program begins on the club level with an award of $500-$1000.
The SNR Region level is $3000-$5000 and the Federation level is $10,000.

Violet Richardson Award | $200- $800
Recognizes young women between the ages 14 – 17 who are engaged in volunteer work in the community or their schools. First place Club recipients are eligible for consideration at the Regional level and if selected, the Federation level where larger monetary awards are given.
Recipients designate their volunteer organization to receive half of the monetary award.

Dottie Locke Imagining Possibilities Award | $500-$1500Recognizes outstanding and achievement-oriented young women who are being emancipated from foster care programs. This award provides financial assistance during transition. (Focus Report)

Positive Parenting Award | $500-1500
This award was established to recognize parents who are striving to improve their future and the futures of their children by taking positive steps to improve their parenting skills. An example of positive steps may include completion of parent education classes.

Hand Up Award | $500
This award supports women 40 years of age and over, who are entering or re-entering the workforce and who demonstrate financial need and the skills to pursue their desired employment. (Focus Report)

Lois Binns High School Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
Three $1,000 scholarships are presented each year to outstanding high school seniors at their individual high school awards night Administered by the Chico Community Scholarship Association.

Soroptimist International of Chico Butte College Scholarships
Three $1,000 scholarships are presented each year. Administered through the Butte College Foundation and awarded to women who have completed at least one semester and demonstrated scholastic achievement, community volunteerism, leadership, creativity, citizenship and financial need.

Soroptimist Fellowship through CSU Chico University Foundation | $500
Awarded annually to a graduate student, preferably a woman, pursuing a Masters Degree in Business Management or allied fields. This fully endowed fellowship was established through the donations of the club and individual Soroptimist members.

International Goodwill and Understanding Scholarship through CSU Chico University Foundation | $500
Awarded annually to an international graduate student (preferably Masters or Doctoral level) from a foreign country that is a part of Soroptimist International.

Sierra Nevada Regional Fellowships for Graduated Women in Doctoral Programs | $2,000
Awarded to women who are citizens of countries represented in the Soroptimist International of the Americas and attend a doctoral program in the Sierra Nevada Region (UCD, University of Nevada, or UOP’s McGeorge School of Law).