From Winning an Award to Gaining a Second Family
One moment can change everything.
In 2022 Elizabeth Lopez received a Live Your Dream Award from SI/Los Banos, CA (Sierra Pacific Region). But just days before the club called to share the good news and invite her to accept the award at a special ceremony, Elizabeth suffered an event that completely stopped her world. She lost her 15-year-old son in a tragic accident.
“The call [from Soroptimist] had been very bitter-sweet,” Elizabeth said. “And I was conflicted about attending and receiving the award.” But led by strength and courage, she decided to go. “I remember having this feeling of comfort and acceptance, and the compassion they had expressed during that tragic time for me was new and overwhelming.”
“Being there surrounded by all those amazing women just felt right.”
What happened next marked a kind gesture that would help change Elizabeth’s life and provide her with newfound solace and support.
The club president called to inform her that one of the members wanted to pay her first-year dues if she was interested in joining. Elizabeth immediately accepted the offer!
“There was something about how the Soroptimist came into my life at exactly the time a huge part of my life was taken from me.”
“Though I am still grieving the loss of my boy, being a member of Soroptimist helps me by being supported by an amazing group of women and by helping me see a bigger picture. Though I am still learning, I know my story, I should be sharing, encouraging, and teaching other women.”
Soroptimists help women achieve their dreams while also uplifting their fellow members. We are thrilled that Elizabeth has found a second family with Soroptimist!
Has your club invited your Live Your Dream Awards recipients or Dream It, Be It participants to join your club? We’d love to hear their inspiring stories. Share them here!
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