International Day of The Girl Child 2024 – SIA
Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls
They also had a team of presenters from the Reedley College pilot training component, including a flight simulator and an aviation mechanics presentation, and a team from the Clovis Adult School that presented their training opportunities in the medical field. One participant stated that “my favorite part was the different speakers and important women giving their time to showcase all the awesome careers. There were careers I didn’t know about and am now interested in.” This exposure to new career fields, especially in the sciences, is crucial to girls who are planning their futures and contemplating what’s next for them after secondary school.
Not only did the project impact the girls who attended but the club also attracted the attention of the local newspaper and gained two members from the event!
Soroptimist International of The Americas
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SIA: ‘Live Your Dream’ – Ashley’s story
Thank you to Soroptimist International of the Americas for contributing Ashley’s story.
The Soroptimist International of the Americas’ (SIA) Live Your Dream Award programme empowers women by providing financial assistance to pursue education and achieve their career goals. It supports women overcoming challenges like poverty, domestic violence, or single parenthood, helping them create brighter futures for themselves and their families.
As an example of how SIA helps women to access life-long education, we share the story of Ashley who received the award in 2020. Ashley was selected by the SI Truckee Meadows Club.
Ashley was referred to the SI Truckee Meadows Club by her university advisor, who highly recommended the programme and encouraged her to apply. At the time, Ashley was juggling work, school, and raising three small children while navigating a separation from the father of her kids. Struggling to make ends meet and overwhelmed by debt, she felt hopeless about her future.
Her children became her driving force to return to school. Having left college 10 years ago, Ashley wanted to provide her children with a better life and be a positive role model. She realised that without a degree, it would be more difficult to support her family on her own. Determined, she decided to double major in political science and criminal justice, with aspirations of attending law school and pursuing a career in family law. Her dream is to represent children in difficult circumstances, giving them a voice in situations where they often have none.
Although nervous during the interview process, Ashley felt warmly welcomed by the Club members. When she learned she had been awarded the scholarship, she was deeply honoured and grateful, finally able to take a moment to breathe. Reflecting on the experience, Ashley said she felt lucky and touched that these women saw potential in her that she hadn’t yet recognised in herself.
Ashley’s biggest challenge was managing her finances, but the award provided crucial support. The funding helped her cover bills, rent, and childcare expenses, allowing her to focus on her studies without the need to work overtime. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to spend more quality time with her children.
Ashley graduated in May 2024 and is now exploring how to fulfil her dream of attending law school. She has also discovered a passion for aviation and is pursuing her pilot’s license. Her goal is to work as a certified flight instructor while attending law school, a career path that offers better financial stability than her current job cleaning homes.
Ashley’s family is now in a much better place. Her children have enjoyed the experience of learning alongside their mother, inspiring them to value education. Ashley has expanded her cleaning business, growing her clientele and thriving professionally. She has also managed to pay off her vehicle and credit card debt, lifting a significant burden from her shoulders. Dedicated to preparing her children for the future, Ashley has opened savings accounts for each of them, teaching them financial literacy and the importance of hard work, so they grow up motivated and equipped to make smart financial decisions as adults.
Ashley’s situation had been taking a toll on her, causing significant stress, health problems, and sleep deprivation. She says: “I can only imagine what this help has done for other struggling women as well. It’s truly a blessing. I am sincerely proud of the progress I have made as a single mother- everything I do is for my children! I am honoured and proud to be a part of this society of strong successful women and hope one day I can give back to others in the way you have all given back to me. I feel like I got a second chance at life and I am forever grateful!”
Ashley’s story is a powerful testament to how providing women with a second chance at education can increase confidence, enhance their outlook on life, and open doors to better employment opportunities. This is why Soroptimists around the world are dedicated to providing life-long educational opportunities to women.
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