Click to open the 2026 Live Your Dream Application!
For the Live Your Dream Award nationally every year, Soroptimist distributes more than $2.9 million in education awards to over 2,000 women all over the world. Over half of the 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. 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.
The club awards a $2,500 scholarship each year to a local woman who provides the primary financial support for her family, giving her the resources she needs to improve her education, skills, and employment prospects. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to a vocational/skills training program, high school equivalency, or undergraduate degree program, have financial needs, and be motivated to achieve their educational and career goals.
The club is thrilled to bestow Kenisha Hughes the 2025 Live Your Dream Award.
Kenisha Hughes Wins 2025 Award
Kenisha Hughes, one of two Soroptimist International of Rio Vista awardees, received the $2,500 Live Your Dream award at the celebration on February 2nd, a wine pairing event held at Ben and Friends in Rio Vista.
Kenisha has faced many obstacles as a single mom trying to make a prosperous life for herself and her daughter. She stated, “My whole life has been an upward struggle that I have fought to overcome my circumstances. This has brought me to adulthood, where I am trying to further my education without having financial support from family or other outlets.”
Although Kenisha experienced many hardships, she persevered and found a career path that would allow her to realize her future goals. The Martinez Adult Education offered a free Dispensing Optician apprenticeship program. She felt uplifted by this opportunity and completed her apprenticeship program.
Kenisha’s goal is to become a Certified Dispensing Optician. According to her mentors, teachers, and friends, she is driven to seize opportunities and complete her current journey.
This financial award will help Kenisha take the next steps to achieve her education and economic empowerment. When receiving the award, Kenisha stated, “This award will allow me to do exactly what it is meant for: LIVE MY DREAM.”
Soroptimist International of Rio Vista’s mission, Economic Empowerment, and Education, focuses on the area that has the most significant impact on transforming lives and communities.
The Live Your Dream Award program is a Soroptimist of the Americas program specifically designed to help women strive to better themselves with education while supporting a family. This unique education grant program allows recipients to use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or skills training, such as tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.