Women’s Opportunity Awards Make a Difference

As the Salt Lake Soroptimists prepare to present Women’s Opportunity Awards to three deserving women in the Salt Lake Area, we are pleased to learn that a recent study has confirmed the success of the Women’s Opportunity Awards program.  The Executive Director of Soroptimist International of the Americas, Elizabeth Lucas, writes:

““Some investments in women’s education and women’s quality of life yield higher returns than others. The Women’s Opportunity Awards is such a program. It has produced demonstrable results yielding economic and social return for women, their families, communities and nations.” –Fels Institute of Government, University of Pennsylvania.

This statement is from a recent study investigating the power and potential of the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards. Conducted by the Fels Institute of Government, a research and consulting organization based at the University of Pennsylvania, this study found that the Women’s Opportunity Awards succeeds in helping women in four key areas:

(1)   Improves quality of life.

(2)   Builds confidence.

(3)   Strengthens self-determination.

(4)   Multiplies the cycle of growth.

Click here to read the full Fels Research & Consulting case statement.

 This report confirms what we have always known—the Women’s Opportunity Awards is making a positive difference in women’s lives.”

A powerful confirmation, indeed.  Soroptimist International continues to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world through this life-changing awards program.  The Salt Lake club’s awards will be presented on April 13, 2013.

Crop ‘til it Stops Raises $$, Awareness

SI of Salt Lake hosted its 3^rd annual Crop ‘til it Stops scrapbooking fundraiser for domestic violence awareness on Saturday, January 19, 2013.  Funds raised from this event will go to the Utah Domestic Violence Council in support of their LinkLine – the line that connects victims in crisis to protection and services.

On January 2, 2013, the Utah Domestic Violence Council reported that there had been 29 domestic violence deaths in 2012.  The breakdown was:  12 women, 7 men, and 10 male perpetrators who committed suicide.

Statistics show that one in four women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime.  As I looked around at the women at our event, that really came home.  One in four.  Statistically speaking, some of the women there, laughing, chatting, enjoying the fun and friendship – some of these women had experienced domestic violence first-hand.

The Utah Domestic Violence Council brings a ray of hope to women of Utah.  Salt Lake Soroptimists are proud to help them in their mission.

Crop 'til it Stops was featured on the Channel 4 news!  We thank ABC4 reporter and anchor Kim Johnson for attending and broadcasting our event.  You can view the broadcast at this link. 

Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Day, please allow me to re-post the following, originally found at liveyourdream.org.

Last month, in honor of the United Nations’ International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Live Your Dream Supporters (“Dreamers”),
(1) obtained and distributed sex trafficking awareness-raising materials like the STOP Trafficking Rack Card available through www.liveyourdream.org, and
(2) sent messages to Congress encouraging U.S. government leaders to work to abolish modern-day slavery by supporting the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

One month later there is good news but also more work to be done.

On December 31, 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama demonstrated his anti-trafficking support by issuing a Presidential Proclamation declaring January 2013 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

However, on January 2, 2013, the 112th U.S. Congress came to a close before taking action to pass the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This important legislation is needed to prevent trafficking, protect survivors, and prosecute those responsible for these crimes. Neglecting to take action on this issue failed the hundreds of thousands of women and girls ensnared in sex trafficking in the United States—a crime that deprives women and girls of their freedom, condemning them to a life of gang rape, violence, abuse and psychological trauma.

At Live Your Dream, we will continue to work to secure the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act during the 113th Session of U.S. Congress. And in the wake of this disappointment...
We want survivors to know we will continue to stand behind them. We are raising our voices, and we will be louder than ever!

Breakfast with Santa Keeps on Giving

To quote one of the Breakfast with Santa volunteers, "we get a fishes and loaves miracle every year."  This past year was no different.  We served more single mothers than ever before and still had plenty of toys and other gifts left over.

Soroptimist of Salt Lake donated dozens of left-over games and toys from our Breakfast with Santa event to the Sunnyvale Neighborhood Center.  This new community center runs two after school programs in the West Millcreek neighborhood, serving over 40 children and their families.

Our donation couldn't have came in a more appropriate time. Just the week before, all of their supplies, games and toys were destroyed in a water leak. Most of these children are from low-income, immigrant/ refugee/ single mom families. This center provides programming and food for the children after school, many stay there till late at night because their parents are at work. 

We received this delightful thank you card just today.  It is truly heartwarming to know that the donations we received for Breakfast with Santa were welcomed by this wonderful community program.

Breakfast with Santa - More IS Better!

For Salt Lake Soroptimists, the holiday season officially starts on the day we host the Single Moms’ Breakfast with Santa.  This year, our sixth, was no different.  On Saturday, December 8, SI SLC members and many other community volunteers turned West High School into a holiday wonderland for 155 single mothers and their 316 children – about 50 more mothers than last year!

Breakfast was donated by Café Madrid.  Volunteers escorted the single mothers and their children to a linen-covered table where they were served their breakfast. 

After breakfast it was off to visit Santa and to get what for many of the mothers was the only photo they would have of their children this year.  Then the fun really began.  The children were escorted to the wrapping area by volunteer elves that helped them select and wrap gifts for their mothers.  A special guest elf, Thurl Bailey, formerly of the Utah Jazz, visited with the children in the wrapping area and signed photos.

The mothers were escorted to “Santa’s Secret Workshop,” where warm clothing purchased specifically for their children awaited, along with a huge selection of toys.  The mothers selected toys for their children, and volunteers helped them carry their packages out to their cars and out of the sight of their excited children.  Families were reunited, with children beaming with pride at the wrapped gifts they carried, and mothers breathing a sigh of relief that the financial stress of Christmas was over.

The Single Mom’s Breakfast with Santa is intended as a reward to single mothers who are doing something to improve their lives and the lives of their children.  We are proud of these single moms who are working so diligently and setting such a great example to their children.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Women's Opportunity Award

When you were a girl, did you imagine a future filled with hope and promise?  But then your life took an unexpected turn, and you were forced to put your dreams on hold?

Since 1972, Soroptimist has been helping women all over the world to reclaim their dreams through the Women’s Opportunity Awards program.  The Women’s Opportunity Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.  Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

Each year, Soroptimist clubs in 19 countries and territories assist women in overcoming personal difficulties and bettering their lives through education and skills training.  The women may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, childcare, and transportation.* 

The program begins on the club level.  Award amounts at the club level vary; this year the Salt Lake club is offering $2000.  Club recipients become eligible to receive region-level awards.  The Rocky Mountain Region offers a $5000 award.   The 28 regional recipients then become eligible to win one of three finalist awards of $10,000 each.

Do you know of a woman who is ready to begin a new life?  Are you that woman?  If you are, SI of Salt Lake is accepting applications through December 15, 2012.  The application form can be obtained on the web site, www.sislc.org.

* From the Women’s Opportunity Award application

Support Malala Yousafzai

The following is a letter from Soroptimist International President Alice Wells to all Soroptimists.  I am publishing it in its entirety:

I’m sure you have all heard about Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani girl who was recently shot in the head for her advocacy work for girls’ access to education.

An excerpt from her diary, 5 January 2009

"I was getting ready for school and about to wear my uniform when I remembered that our principal had told us not to wear uniforms and come to school wearing normal clothes instead. So I decided to wear my favourite pink dress. Other girls in school were also wearing colourful dresses. During the morning assembly we were told not to wear colourful clothes as the Taliban would object to it."

According to the information received, Ms. Malala Yousafzai was reportedly shot by three unidentified gunmen from the Taliban, in the bus taking children home from school after a mid-term exam. The incident occurred in the city of Mingora situated in the Swat valley, North West Pakistan, as the bus was coming from Khushal Public School. Ms Yousafzai was shot in the head and a second shot injured her in the neck area. (source: The Observatory, FIDH, OMCT 11/10/2012)

Malala started campaigning for girls’ education when she was just 11, blogging for the BBC Urdu. After a period of exile, she returned to her home. During 2009, Malala began to appear on television and publically advocate female education. She has become a heroine for girls all around the world, winning the National Peace Award in Pakistan -subsequently renamed the National Malala Peace Prize - for those under 18 years old. In 2011 she was nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize by The KidsRights Foundation.

"Malala was the lone voice in that wilderness," writes Feryal Gauhar in the local Express Tribune. "Hers was the voice which made us consider that indeed, there can be alternatives, and there can be resistance to all forms of tyranny. Today, the attempt to silence that voice shall only make her stronger; the blood stains on her school uniform shall only feed the conviction that as long as there is breath and life, there shall be struggle. Malala rose to heights few of us can aspire to," adds Gauhar. (source: BBC)

Malala was transferred to a hospital in the UK where she is making good progress, though the Taliban spokespersons have said that she will not be spared should she recover.

I am humbled by this young woman, with the courage and grace to speak out for what she believes, for a better future for herself, her peers, and her country, for something that so many of us take for granted.  For education.

I ask you to pause for just a moment to take action to support Malala in the hope that her courageous acts will not be in vain, but will transform lives for girls who must fight for their basic human right to education.

1. Write a letter. Our partners at AWID are supporting this action from the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT). Click HERE to see a template letter and find addresses.

2. Sign a petition. Avaaz.org is hosting an international petition to deliver to Pakistan’s President Zardari. Click HERE to add your voice and to share on social media.

3. Join a campaign. The Office of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education has launched a campaign to support Malala. Click HERE to join and learn more.

Alice Wells, International President 2011-2013