(From Soroptomist International of Joplin)
Soroptimist International of Joplin is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women®.
Soroptimist International of Joplin awarded seven women with non-restricted funding to continue their education. The award winners were presented at the weekly Soroptimist meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
Shelby Scott ($4000) is pursuing the Practical Nursing program at Franklin Technology Center with the goal of continuing into the Registered Nursing program.
Alexa Warden ($3000) is pursuing the Social Work program at Missouri Southern State University with the goal of becoming either a school social worker or a social worker at the macro/policy level.
Carmel Pierce ($2000) is pursuing Early Childhood Education at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith.
Taylor Doran ($2000) is pursuing the Practical Nursing program at Franklin Technology Center with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse and working in developmental disabilities.
Susan Duvall ($1500) is pursuing the Practical Nursing program at Franklin Technology Center with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse and working in developmental disabilities.
Amie England ($1500) is pursuing the Nursing program at Franklin Technology Center.
Sara Ludders ($1500) is pursuing the Nursing program at Franklin Technology Center.
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women® provides women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with financial resources to offset the costs of pursuing higher education or additional skills.
Recipients can use the award for tuition, books, childcare, carfare, or any other education-related expense. Each year, over $3 million is provided in cash grants to over 2300 women in need, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles, including poverty, domestic violence, the death of a spouse, or substance abuse.
Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than $45 million has helped tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families—leading to stronger communities, nations, and the world.
The Live Your Dream Award® starts at the club level, where award amounts vary (minimum $1,000). Club-level recipients then become eligible for region-level awards granted in each of Soroptimist’s 29 regions. The first-place region recipients then become candidates for one of three $10,000 finalist awards.
Soroptimist International of Joplin is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards® is the signature project of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also powers LiveYourDream.org—an online community offering offline volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls.
For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit
www.soroptimist.org,
www.joplinsoroptimist.org, or
www.facebook.com/SIJoplin.
