Advocacy, Understanding and Compassion: Elizabeth's Story
Elizabeth S., a 2024 Live Your Dream Awards recipient from Dillon, MT, first learned about the program when a Soroptimist member stopped by her workplace with a flyer. At the time, she was balancing multiple jobs to support herself and her daughter while pursuing her education. One of those jobs was at a domestic violence shelter, where she dreamed of earning degrees in psychology and interdisciplinary social sciences so she could support survivors with both professional tools and her own lived experience.
Having grown up witnessing violence, and later surviving it herself, Elizabeth deeply understood what many of the women at the shelter were going through. At 19, she gave birth to her daughter. Just one day later, she found herself a single mother.
Those early years of single motherhood were among the most difficult of her life. She lived in low-income housing, pursued her education, and shouldered the financial strain of raising a child on her own, all while navigating both the civil and criminal justice systems as a survivor. Yet through it all, she remained determined to create a secure and loving future for herself and her daughter.
“Every sacrifice and choice I made was guided by the hope of building a life of security, opportunity, and love for her. I wanted my daughter to grow up surrounded by safety, love, and the belief that her future could be bright and free from harm.”
Elizabeth was overwhelmed with gratitude when she learned she had received a Live Your Dream Award. “It wasn’t just an award to me,” she shared. “It was a reminder that I wasn’t alone on this journey, and that there were people who believed in me and my dreams.”
Since then, she has completed both of her degrees and is now pursuing a graduate certificate in nonprofit administration. Today, she serves as Programs Manager at the domestic violence shelter, where she makes a difference every day in the lives of survivors.
Her connection with Soroptimist has also grown far beyond receiving the award. Through her role at the shelter, she continues to collaborate with her local club, helping to create opportunities and hope for other women and families, just as the award helped create for her.
“I want to sincerely thank the donors who made this award possible. Your support and belief in me have made a profound difference in my life, giving me the confidence and resources to finish my education, advance in my career, and create a better future for my daughter. Your generosity has not only supported me, but it has also inspired me to give back and help others along their own [survivor] journeys.”
Domestic violence is one of the most significant barriers to women’s empowerment. According to the UN, nearly 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This kind of trauma often derails educational goals, leaving women struggling to reclaim their dreams. Only a fraction of survivors manage to ever break free from these cycles, and even fewer go on to pursue higher education.
By investing in programs like the Live Your Dream Awards, Soroptimist donors and members help women like Elizabeth achieve brighter futures for themselves and their families.
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