Service is our reason for being. We are committed to a world where women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realize aspirations, and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide. Through our three-pronged approach of Awareness, Advocacy and Action we work for a better world for all by making it a better world for women

Throughout history—in every country in the world—women and girls face additional obstacles and discrimination solely because of their gender. By initiating club projects that benefit women and girls and by honoring women who help women and girls, we improve their status. Soroptimist projects and programs aid and empower them to make positive changes in their lives and their communities.

We approach our service with four goals:

• Ensuring women and girls enjoy equity and equality.
• Ensuring women and girls live in safe and healthy environments.
• Ensuring women and girls have access to education.
• Ensuring women and girls have leadership and practical skills

Soroptimists and their immediate families—whether they are members of our club or another club—are not eligible to receive any form of financial aid.

Making the Dream of Education a Reality

Scholarships
University and Community College
Trade and Professional Schools
Application deadline: April 15

Scholarships

Each year we award scholarships to women and girls who are residents of Vallejo and are

• Graduating from high school and who plan to attend a 4-year university, a community college or who plan to enroll in a trade school or professional training program
• Already attending a community college
• Additionally, in honor of one of our Soroptimist members we are awarding  the Greta and Al Lange Memorial Scholarship for women residing in Solano County who are enrolled in a postgraduate program to obtain a degree in the medical field, including Pharmacy, Nursing and other Medical degrees.

Presenting: Scholarships 2023

Awarded and Celebrated May 2023

Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, scholastic achievement, motivation of the student, quality of recommendations, and to a lesser extent, extracurricular activities. All successful applicants meet with a selection board for a personal interview.

Scholarship funds are sent directly to the educational institution upon receipt of proof of registration for classes by the awardee. Scholarship funds are intended to be used for the year for which they have been awarded and can only be held over for a subsequent year with special permission.

Scholarship applications are only available on line. Please follow the applicable link listed below:

Scholarships for Women and Girls Application or Greta and Al Lange Memorial Scholarship Application

Greta and Al Lange Memorial Scholarship Post-Graduate studies in the Medical Field Awarded May 2020; celebrated June 29, 2020 (Not available 2023 and 2024)

Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards

Awarded and Celebrated March 25, 2023

The signature program of Soroptimist International of the Americas, the Live Your Dream Education and Training Award, recognizes women heads of household responsible for the financial support of their families who are improving their employment status through further education or training.

To be eligible for this prize a woman must provide the primary financial support of her family, she must have dependents who rely on her for that support, and she must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in a college or training program.

Applicants may access the Live Your Dreams application and reference forms here or by contacting our SIA Programs committee at information@sivallejo.org. Information packets are also available at most local college and university financial aid offices.

Ruby Award: Women Helping Women

The Ruby Award is an award which may be given by clubs in Soroptimist International of the Americas to recognize women or organizations who are helping other women and girls in the local communities. It is named in honor of the first Federation President, Ruby Minar.

Anyone – either a member of Soroptimist or outside of the club—may nominate a woman for this award. A woman may even nominate herself for the award. The winner chosen at the club level is given a monetary award for her organization.

If you know a woman who you believe qualifies for this award or if you are such a woman, you may complete a nomination form and submit it for consideration. Further information is available from our SIA Programs committee. information@sivallejo.org

 

Violet Richardson Award

Violet Richardson, the first president of the first Soroptimist club in Alameda County in 1921, believed “it’s what we do that counts” and lived her life accordingly.  Given in her memory, this award recognizes and honors young women between the ages of 14 – 18 in recognition of their outstanding volunteer efforts in our community. 

 

Higher Dreams Through Fellowship

Making a true difference by expanding the body of knowledge is the dream of doctoral students. We are here to support these women who are actively pursuing their doctoral degrees. Through Founder Region Fellowship we, along with other clubs in our region, provide funding for women in the final stages of their doctoral programs. We raise money for this program through special fundraisers and through direct donations by members. For every $1000 raised for Fellowship, a member can be named a Fellow of Founder Region Fellowship. We are enthusiastic supporters of this program and annually raise money for Fellowship. For the past several years we have been able to name multiple club members as new Fellows.

Awarded and Celebrated March 25, 2023

 

Celebrating Past Achievements of Women

The Heritage Chamber, a room celebrating the achievements of women and housed in the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, has been our Permanent Identifying Project since the 1970’s. Recently refurbished, the Chamber also serves as an auditorium for concerts, recitals and presentations.

This project was selected after long consideration and study by club members. While the museum staff has full latitude in selecting specific displays, they always celebrate women and their contributions to society. Our club supports the room with annual monetary grants. Several of our members have also served on the museum’s board of directors.

Service-in-Action

Our service projects are chosen annually; some are new and some are ongoing, We have tackled such diverse projects locally as providing support for homes for women in transition, fulfilling Christmas wish lists requests for families in need, sponsoring events which introduce girls to leadership roles in business and health, supporting and volunteering to help at girls wrestling events and soccer camps.

 

Faith Food Fridays food bank delivery
Gifts for women and children in transition housing	Equality in the Workplace event (January 2020)

S-Clubs

“S” Clubs are service clubs for high school students in our communities. They are a vital part of high school extracurricular activities and provide an excellent opportunity for high school students to learn about serving others and helping in the community. “S” clubs focus on improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.

Giving From the Heart

Additionally we make monetary donations to assist local projects such as TechTrek’s STEM experience, leadership training for girls, local resource centers, programs fighting abuse and gun violence and, internationally, programs which provide education and training for women veterinarians in Mongolia.

If you would like to apply for a grant, please contact us using the “Contact Us” tab on this website or by email to siovjo@hotmail.com. Outline your programs, describing in detail your needs, including the specific amount of money requested, and explain how your program will improve—and not simply enhance—the lives of women and girls. You may find it helpful to refer back to the four focus goals outlined at the beginning of this Service tab.

Each request is carefully considered, so responses may take a minimum of one month and sometimes longer. Generally, our grants are disbursed from October through May.

#SoroptimistAtWork