Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women

Started in 1972, the Live Your Dream Awards have provided about $30 million in grants to tens of thousands of women.The awards assist women who provide the primary financial support for their families. Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.These women have overcome incredible challenges including poverty, domestic violence, and addiction. They are on a path to a new life, and the Live Your Dream Awards support them in achieving their goals.

The Live Your Dream Awards involve three levels of cash awards. The program begins at the local Soroptimist club-level, where award amounts vary. Soroptimist International of Lodi provides $1,000 to each of our awardees. One local-level award recipient becomes eligible for region-level awards of either $3,000 or $5,000. Region-level award recipients then become eligible to receive one of three international-level awards of $10,000.

The Live Your Dream Awards improve the recipients' quality-of-life, build their confidence, strengthen their self-determination and make them want to, in turn, help others. By assisting women in this way, the Live Your Dream Awards strengthen our community, our nation, and the world.

SI Lodi Live Your Dream Awards - April 13, 2023

    Award Recipient Mariela                   Award Recipient Amber with Awards Chair Mina

On April 13, 2023, the members of Soroptimist International of Lodi hosted the club's annual Awards Night at the Parkview Terrace Clubhouse in Lodi. The occasion was graced by special guests, including family and friends of our awardees, as well as representatives from the offices of local legislators.

The keynote speaker for the Awards Night was Kim, one of the recipients of the Live Your Dream Award in 2019. Her award had been funded by donations given in memory of Marcia Pothast, a long-term member who had passed away in 2018 after a brief battle with cancer. Kim delivered a highly motivational talk in which she discussed overcoming obstacles and achieving her dreams. In addition, she encouraged this year's award winners to continue on their own path to success despite any impediments they might face. Kim's presentation was recorded since she was out of town on a business trip for what she described as her dream job. Kim epitomizes how the Live Your Dream Awards can help improve the lives of its recipients!

This year, the club presented three $1,000 Live Your Dream Awards to deserving local women. Although the club had budgeted to give only one award, we were able to provide two additional thanks to three generous $1,000 donations to our Winter Wonderland  fundraiser, held at the end of 2022. All of the 2023 recipients serve as head of their household; for example, Mariela is the single mother of three children. Each of the awardees has shown tremendous resiliency in overcoming significant life challenges and is now furthering her education. 

The club also provided additional $500 grants to our two 2022 LYD recipients in order to assist them further as they pursue their dreams. One awardee opted to have the $500 sent to her nursing school to help pay for her tuition. The other will use $100 of her grant for books and the remaining $400 to pay for internet service, critical for her to attend online classes.

We were honored by the presence of representatives from the offices of local legislators: Doug Kuehne for Assemblymember Heath Flora, Joel Reyna for State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, and Briana Gonzalez for US Representative Josh Harder. All commended the 2023 award recipients and presented them with certificates of recognition. Both Doug and Briana shared their own inspirational stories of overcoming significant hardships and ultimately attaining their dreams.

The 2023 Awards Night was an incredibly moving event. The club is grateful to Mina,the Awards Committee Chair, Germaine, who arranged for the venue, and Judy, Linda and Liz, who obtained the refreshments and set up the room. Our members would also like to thank all participants and extend our congratulations once again to the award recipients!

Event Photos

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SI Lodi Live Your Dream Awards - April 27, 2022

(left to right) Award recipients Aubrieana Curry, Tori Bell, Cynthia Ramos, Alma Wasco

The members of Soroptimist International of Lodi held our annual Awards Night at the Parkview Terrace Clubhouse in Lodi. Special guests included representatives from the Mary Graham Children's Foundation and from the offices of local state legislators.

The club presented two $1,000 Live Your Dream Awards to deserving local women: Tori Bell and Aubrieana Curry. Tori is currently enrolled in an accelerated Bachelor of Nursing Program. Through her career in the health profession, Tori plans to fulfill her aspiration of "spreading love and compassion to all those individuals in need." Aubrieana is a very busy woman who is the single mother of four children. Aubrieana is studying at Delta College with a major in psychology, all while working 32 hours a week.

The club also provided additional $500 grants to our three 2021 LYD recipients in order to assist them further as they pursue their dreams. Cynthia Ramos and Alma Wasco were able to attend Awards Night and receive their extra support in person. Club members were grateful to be able to greet them personally since last year's Awards Night had to be held on Zoom. We missed seeing Dahlia Vocque due to a scheduling conflict; the club sent $500 to Sacramento City College to help with her summer semester.

Lastly, SI Lodi gave a $1,000 Achievement Award to a young women in the program at the Mary Graham Children’s Foundation. Formerly in foster care, recipients of this award are now advancing their education. The 2022 awardee completed her AA at Delta College with an impressive 3.886 GPA. She transferred to San Francisco State University and is working toward a Bachelor of Sociology. Rebecca Fisher, Executive Director of Mary Graham Children's Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the recipient since she had a scheduling conflict.

Vishal Mishra from the office of Assemblymember Jim Cooper and Joel Reyna from State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman's office presented recognition certificates to the award recipients. Certificates were also provided by President Liz on behalf of US Representative Jerry McNerney.

Always one of the highlights of our club year, the 2022 Awards Night was one of our most gratifying ever. Congratulations again to all of our award recipients!

Event Photos

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SI Lodi Live Your Dream Awards - May 27, 2021


Upper Row (L to R): Award Recipient Cynthia Ramos, Guest Speaker Cheryl Francis, Award Recipient Sarah Say Bottom Row (L to R): Award Recipients Judy Lagorio and Dahlia Vocque


On May 27, SI Lodi hosted a virtual evening of celebration of its grant winners for 2020 and 2021.  During this time period, SI Lodi gave five $1000 Live Your Dream Awards to some very deserving women in our community. The club also provided three $1,000 Achievement Awards to young women in the program at the Mary Graham Children’s Foundation. Formerly in foster care, these young women are now advancing their education. The evening’s special guest speaker, Cheryl Francis, owner and director of the Grace and Mercy Foundation, gave an inspirational  presentation about achieving one’s dreams. Representatives of our state and federal elected officials participated in the event and provided certificates for the award winners. 


SI Lodi Live Your Dream Awards - March 27, 2019

Mina provides $1,000 check to award winner Jacqueline Noyola-Jimenez.


The members of Soroptimist International of Lodi held our annual Awards Night on March 27, 2019 at the Parkview Terrace Clubhouse in Lodi. Sierra Pacific Region District II Director Beth Stochl attended the event and offered her congratulations to awardees.  Jennifer Held, Executive Director of the Mary Graham Children's Foundation was also in attendance.

The club presented three $1,000 Live Your Dream Awards to deserving local women: Jacqueline Noyola-Jimenez, Rakaisha H., and Kimberly. Kimberly’s award was given in memory of Marcia Pothast, a Soroptimist member for nearly 25 years. Marcia held multiple leadership roles at the local and district levels of Soroptimist and served on numerous committees. Her sudden passing in 2018 was a great loss to our club and community.

The club will also provide 2018 Live Your Dream recipient Nikhat Khan with an additional grant of $500 to support her ongoing studies.

Mikey Hothi, District Director from the office of Assemblymember Jim Cooper, presented recognition certificates to the award recipients. Certificates were also provided on behalf of US Representative Jerry McNerney and California State Senator Cathleen Galgiani.

The keynote speaker at the Awards Night was 2017 Live Your Dream recipient Veronica Flores. She provided an inspirational update concerning her educational and career achievements.

Event Photos

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SI Lodi Live Your Dream Award - April 25, 2018

Award Winner Nikhat Khan receives a check for $1,000 from Mina.

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