The work of these women helps to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are 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 lobbing companies to provide on-site childcare. 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.

Although Soroptimist clubs are free to honor a woman for a lifetime of good work, the majority ofthe work should have occurred within the past two years. Previous award winners, Soroptimists and Soroptimist employees are not eligible for the award.