La Conner Soroptimists do more than encourage local women to dream big. They make it possible for those dreams to become reality.
Members of the non-profit volunteer service organization, whose name means “best for women,” each year award cash grants through the Live Your Dream education and training program that uplifts female heads of households preparing to enter or re-enter the workforce.
The application deadline for 2025 Live Your Dream awards is Nov. 15, said Jan Paul, of Shelter Bay, who co-chairs the La Conner Soroptimist Scholarship and Awards Committee.
“It’s just a fantastic program,” Paul said of Live Your Dream. “It’s kind of amazing we’re able to do this.”
Women with primary financial responsibility for themselves and their dependents, attend an undergraduate degree or vocational skills training program and have financial need are eligible to apply, said Paul.
The program is designed to help women overcome serious life-changing challenges, from poverty and divorce to death of a spouse and domestic violence. Live Your Dream is a concerted campaign to transform lives and create opportunities for awardees to further strengthen their communities.
Paul said that Live Your Dream funds are awards rather than scholarships. As such, those funds are intended to help with living expenses such as childcare, auto maintenance, and household appliance repairs.
Those wishing to apply can do so online at www.soroptimist.org or by accessing silaconner@soroptimist.net. Another option is scanning the QR code on posters displayed at various La Conner locales. The La Conner Soroptimist postal address is P.O. Box 1049, La Conner, WA., 98257.
Awards are announced annually in February.
“It’s a mission to empower women to be the best they can be through education,” Paul said.
A year ago, La Conner Soroptimists presented a total of $15,000 in Live Your Dream awards — $5,000 each to three Skagit Valley College nursing students. One of those recipients, Brenda Martinez, said she was inspired to become a nurse after experiencing compassionate care during the birth of her twins.
“It’s helped me tremendously,” Martinez said of her Live Your Dream award. “I’ve been able to set some money aside and relieve some of the financial burden (of attending college). I don’t have those other stressors, like how to pay for gas.
“I needed better shoes for clinicals,” she continued. “My feet hurt so bad. So, I was able to get new shoes. It was just one less thing to worry about.”
Sondra Gonzalez, another Live Your Dream awardee, echoed Martinez’s appreciation for La Conner Soroptimists.
“They’re amazing people,” Gonzalez said. “This award has been huge. It’s helped me pay bills on time and avoid any late charges.”
Gonzalez, who like Martinez carries a full credit load, has been assigned to clinicals at hospitals between Arlington and Coupeville. She said the Live Your Dream grant has kept her fuel bill manageable.
Both said they hope in the future to provide others with financial aid much as the Live Your Dream award has been a lifeline for them.
The grants, Paul said, are to defray costs — which in some cases are unanticipated — related to an awardee’s pursuit of higher education.
Paul knows well the challenge of making ends meet while on an academic degree or vocational certification track.
“I had three jobs when I went to college,” she recalled.
Paul noted that La Conner Soroptimists operate the Vintage La Conner thrift store at Third and Morris, the sales from which generate revenue that is put back into the community to support Live Your Dream and other impactful programs.
“We get great donations from people who live in the La Conner area,” Paul said, alluding to how the community rallies behind Vintage La Conner and the Soroptimists’ various service missions.
“Vintage La Conner is a destination thrift store,” said Paul, “and our customers come from everywhere.”
The La Conner chapter of Soroptimist International is 65 members strong. Live Your Dream is just one example of how La Conner members take part in the organization’s global outreach. In addition to Live Your Dream, Paul said La Conner Soroptimists also present a Ruby award honoring non-Soroptimist women who make extraordinary efforts on behalf of other women.
“We support each other,” Paul said. “Our chapter is involved in several programs at the international level.”
Since its inception in 1972, Live Your Dream has disbursed tens of millions of dollars in grants that have helped tens of thousands of women achieve a better life for themselves and their families.
One needn’t look far from home to see the effect.
“It’s been so beneficial,” Martinez said. “Because I’m taking 15 credit-hours and have clinicals, I can’t work much. But now I have the money to deal with an emergency if something happens. I can really focus on school with fewer worries.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
