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In 2018-2019, Soroptimist awarded over $2.6 million to 1,655 women through Live Your Dream
From one Soroptimist Twin Cities Live Your Dream 2020 Award winner - "The Live Your Dream Award has given me hope and drive for a better future for myself and my children”.

Over half of our Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families we serve have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation. 

Past Live Your Dream Award Winners were surveyed across the country and report the :

 - 87% improved their standard of living for themselves and their dependents

 - 93% have increased self-esteem

 - 67% completed their education secured higher-paying employment

 - 93% are a role model for their dependents

 - 53% have past experiences with domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse

 - 97% report now living in a safe environment

Apply for Live Your Dream Now!


To be eligible, winners must be women who provide primary support for their families and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or undergraduate degree program. To verify eligibility, please review the requirements at:  http://www.soroptimist.org/awards/eligibility.html 

Questions? Please send an email us at sitwincities@soroptimist.net



Read all about our 2024 Live Your Dream (LYD) Award Winners on our Home page


Meet our Past LYD Winners


2023 Live Your Dream Winner - Rowaida

Rowaida financially supports her 4 children, still living in Palestine. She just obtained her permit to work in the U.S. but is struggling to find work because her Masters in Education achieved in Palestine. Rowaida now dreams of starting a new career in healthcare, and is attending St Paul College to obtain a professional certificate in phlebotomy.

Rowaida.jpg

Bekki - Live Your Dream 2023 Winner

Bekki is a mother of 3, and dreams of becoming a teacher. She has experienced great loss of a child and a brother who was murdered. Bekki’s brother was supportive of her education and was going to help pay for it prior to his death. Bekki is studying education at St. Kate's College to keep her dream alive.

LYD Bekki

Maylisha - Live Your Dream 2023 Winner

Maylisha is a mother of 3, studying social work at Metro state. Her dream is for more black women, and survivors of the system, making changes for more positive impacts in the lives of others battling barriers in society. She lost a father to one of her children from homicide and ended an abusive relationship with the other child’s father.

Samantha - Live Your Dream 2023 Winner

Samantha is a mother of one child, attending Minneapolis Technical College studying addiction counseling. She is and has faced many challenges including: an abusive childhood, a criminal background, mental health issues, disabilities, and a history of substance abuse. She wants to deserve an education and move past the stigma she feels. In her application she said “knowledge is the only thing one can acquire that cannot be taken from them.”

Anya - Live Your Dream 2023 Winner

Anya is currently attending Anoka Ramsey Community College studying healing arts while supporting her child. She wants to integrate alternative healing methods into treatment for people with trauma and mental health issues. Anya was raised in an orphanage, adopted from Ukraine and escaped an abusive relationship.