Women's Opportunity Award
Award recipient will receive a cash grant for educational expenses
Talbot Soroptimists participate in Soroptimist International of the Americas' Women's Opportunity Awards. This service program provides women who are the primary wage earners for their families with a financial award to help with costs associated with their efforts to gain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense.
This Women's Opportunity Award was created in 1972 to help women improve their ability to provide for their families. Each year, more than $1 million is provided in cash grants to women in need. Since the program's inception, approximately $15 million in Women's Opportunity Awards has been disbursed to about 25,000 women throughout the countries served by Soroptimist International of the America's.
Award Levels - Club-level award amounts vary (Soroptimist International of Talbot County presents a $2,000 Women's Opportunity Award each year). Club-level recipients then become eligible for region-level awards granted in each of Soroptimist's 28 regions. The first place region recipients then become candidates for one of three $10,000 finalist awards.
Applications - Award Applications are available for eligible women on Maryland's Mid-Shore and are available online or may be requested by contacting a club member or sending your request by email. Completed application deadline has been extended to January 20.
Funding - Talbot Soroptmists raises funds for the award through our annual Girls Night Out in October and our annual Flower Sale in early Spring, along with other fundraisers throughout the year.
Download a Women's Opportunity Award Application.
Download Reference Forms to accompany package.
Violet Richardson Award
Award recipient will receive a cash grant for educational expenses.
Talbot Soroptimists participate in Soroptimist International of the Americas' Violet Richardson Award. This award recognizes young women who make the community and world a better place through their volunteer efforts. Volunteer actions that benefit women or girls are of particular interest.
The award program is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, "It's what you do that counts." She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.
Award Levels - Club-level award amounts vary (Soroptimist International of Talbot County presents $1,000 to the winner and $500 to her designated volunteer organization). Club-level recipients then become eligible for one region-level award granted in each of Soroptimists 28 regions. In addition, at this level, $1,000 will be contributed in honor of the winners to their volunteer organizations. One finalist will be chosen from among the 28 winners for an additional award, including a contribution of $2,500 to the finalist's volunteer organization.
Applications - Award applications are available for eligible girls on Maryland's Mid-Shore and are available online or may be requested by contacting a club member or sending your request via email to vra@talbotsoroptimist.org. Completed applications are due December 1.
Funding - Talbot Soroptimists raises funds for the award through our Annual Girls Night Out in October and our Annual Flower Sale in early Spring, along with other fundraisers throughout the year.
Download a Violet Richardson Award Application package.
Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women
Formerly the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award, the Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women recognizes and honors the first federation president, Ruby Lee Minar. A ruby is also a deep red gemstone associated with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, vivacity, power and love: all words embodying the strong and compassionate women who are our award recipients.
Eligibility Requirements - Women who are improving the lives of other women or girls through their professional or personal activities are eligible for the Soroptimist Ruby Award. These women have identified and focused on a need in their communities, which has significantly contributed to the improvement of women and girls' lives.
Although Soroptimist clubs are free to honor a woman for a lifetime of good work, the majority of the work should have occurred within the past two years. Previous award winners, Soroptimists and Soroptimist employees are not eligible for the award.
Download a Soroptimist Ruby Award Nomination Form.
PageTurners: Girls Who Read to Achieve
Talbot Soroptimist's Signature Project 2010-2012
...is building a network of after school book clubs to empower at-risk middle school girls to become self-aware leaders in their communities while improving their reading and critical thinking skills. PageTurners implemented 10 book clubs in six schools in Dorchester, Somerset and Talbot counties and Baltimore City during the 2010-2011 school year and will nearly triple those numbers in the coming year.
International Service
Spring 2012 Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine Visit to Talbot County
What's it all about? What's the big deal?
It's about global awareness. It's about our "Friendship Link." It's about international goodwill and understanding and getting to really know our Ukrainian Sisters in Soroptimist. Six years ago we enjoyed their first visit here. On two occasions in 2003 and 2007, six SITC members and a daughter enjoyed Ukraine's "Satin Season." What an adventure! And, it's not all about travel - it's an education and a great warm feeling of Soroptimist friendship. Please help us when the time comes. Volunteer to help with a tour or a dinner or lunch. Cruise to Bermuda is being raffled, tickets are on sale now and the winner will be drawn at our Winter Dance in February.
info@talbotsoroptimist.org for raffle tickets
2012-2014 Signature Project Applications
Available now. Must be submitted by March 1, 2012.
Soroptimist International of Talbot County is accepting applications for its biennial Signature Project which will be supported for the period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014. We will share our time, talents and financial resources to help our Signature Project succeed and to enrich the greater Mid-Shore community.
In order to qualify for consideration, your charitable organization or project must specifically benefit women and/or girls living on the Mid-Shore. (A women/girl-focused project that is part of a larger organization is acceptable as long as Soroptimist funds and service are earmarked for the stated project.)
Soroptimist International of Talbot County, Maryland is a volunteer organization for business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Founded in 1964, the Talbot County club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas where almost 100,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women.
Please send any questions to program@talbotsoroptimist.org or PO Box 1593, Easton, MD 21601. To apply, complete this application and return it by March 1, 2012.