Education Awards

Soroptimists empower women and girls through education because educated women and girls are:

  • Less vulnerable to sex traffickers

  • More likely to leave a domestic violence situation and not return

  • Able to access healthcare

  • Less likely to live in poverty

  • Able to raise stronger, healthier families

What our award recipients say

  • “This community of women was instrumental in my journey, not just financially, but emotionally and psychologically. Their belief in my abilities gave me the strength and confidence to take the final steps toward my dream. Today, I stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of supportive communities.”

  • “This award means so much to me after all the challenges I have faced. I was in tears to see I was awarded this scholarship. This award will help me further my goals and dreams as I pursue my higher education.”

  • “To be the best woman, the best person, the best student that I can be. This is what I have been empowered to do by the work of the Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore community and their Give Her Wings award program.”

  • “Through applying for this award I was introduced to a community of women that gave support like I'd not experienced before. They viewed me not through my past, not who I was, but by the future that I am capable of having. Having been a youth in foster care and didn't always have a community of holistic support ,this in itself was so very impactful. “

  • “This community and this award have strengthened my path to being the best woman I can be and made me believe in my future that much more.”

  • My self esteem is pretty strong and receiving the money made going to Camosun that much better!

  • Anything is possible which is what the Westshore Soroptimists definitely instilled in me with their gratefully received award!

Some of our past recipients

We provide awards in 3 categories:

1. Live Your Dream Awards

The Live Your Dream Awards were established in 1972 to assist women with primary financial responsibility for their dependents to obtain the skills-training and education necessary to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Recipients are women who have overcome life challenges. These are women – just like you!

Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, childcare, and transportation.

The Live Your Dream Awards Program provides three levels of cash awards. The awards begin at the local Soroptimist Club-level; the top Club-level award recipient is then eligible for the Region-level awards of either $3,000 or $5,000 and the top Region-level award recipient then becomes eligible to receive one of three International-level awards of $10,000.

  • You are eligible if you are a woman who:

    • Provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.

    • Has demonstrated financial need.

    • Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational or skills training program, high school equivalency, or an undergraduate degree program.

    • Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.

    • Resides on Southern Vancouver Island (Nanaimo and south).

    • Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.

    • Does not have a graduate degree.

    • Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas, or immediate family of either.

  • Applications for awards are accepted until November 15th of each year. Award recipients are notified mid-February of the following year.

Check out these videos for an overview of how to apply for a Live Your Dream Award, how to strengthen your application, and what to expect after you apply.

You may only submit an application for a Live Your Dream Award to one Soroptimist club. Once received, your application will be reviewed by a panel of judges, but all information will remain confidential and will not be shared without your prior permission. Depending on the number of applicants, not all applicants will be selected for awards. 

2. Kwetlal Awards

Unique to Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore, the Kwetlal Award was created to assist women who self-identify as Indigenous to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.

Kwetlal Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, tuition, childcare, and transportation.

  • Eligible applicants are women who:

    • Self-identify as Indigenous

    • Reside on Southern Vancouver Island (Nanaimo and south). NOTE: The Canadian Tire Award will be awarded to an applicant that resides in the Victoria Capital Regional District.

    • Are entering or attending a high school equivalency, vocational, technical, undergraduate, or graduate degree program

    • Are not Soroptimist members, employees of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either

  • Apply between August 1st and November 15th of each year. Award recipients are notified in mid-February.

3. Give Her Wings Awards

The Give Her Wings Award recognizes women who have transitioned out of the foster care system in Canada and helps them to further their education. Eligibility is similar to the Live Your Dream Awards, however, applicants need not have dependents.

Recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, tuition, and transportation.

  • You are eligible if you are a woman who:

    • Has transitioned out of the foster care system in Canada.

    • Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational or skills training program, high school equivalency, or an undergraduate degree program..

    • Resides on Southern Vancouver Island (Nanaimo and south).

    • Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas, or immediate family of either.

  • Apply between August 1st and November 15th of each year. Award recipients are notified in mid-February.

Ready, Set, Live Your Dream!

Contact Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore at sivw.award@gmail.com

Questions?