A few months ago Lee shared her story at our Soroptimist meeting. This
beautiful young Vietnamese woman described coming to USA as a child and "raising
herself" because her parents had to work to support the family.

 

Lee took
responsibility for the fact that she made "bad choices" as she called them, hanging out with the
wrong kids, doing drugs, being disrespectful to her family and other decisions
that eventually got her arrested.

 

Lee’s story took a new turn. She got out of
jail, decided to start getting an education because she needed to be an
"example" to her children. She is now in college and almost ready to get her
degree to be a nurse. She is confident and strong and exactly the kind of woman
that our Soroptimist Club is proud to support through the Women’s Opportunity
Award.

 

This story gets even better because Lee is also working to be a mentor to
young "at risk" girls. She is already volunteering and expressed her pleasure
in becoming the person her family wanted her to be: A role model for her
children and a woman who contributes to her life and community. Lee’s story
resonated with me and our club members particularly because she took
responsibility for her actions, didn’t present herself as a victim, and was
clearly a victor in moving forward deliberately toward a new life! Lee said that
our award helps her build her confidence, paid her last tuition, and also makes
it possible to do something a little special for her children.

 

Lee’s story is the perfect example of the result Soroptimists want to get
from our projects. The very best projects set the stage for women and girls to
become "their best selves" through our support, our resources and our
recognition.