For most of my life, I never really thought about myself as a feminist. My idea of feminism was a vague notion of burning the bras and refusing to have family for the sake of a career. Boys in the Read More
Category: Stories
The Life-Changing Power of the Live Your Dream Awards
Bailey McManus $6,500 Live Your Dream Awards recipient — Hood River, OR When I received the Live Your Dream Awards, I was a single mother working to support my son and fulfill my dreams. I had my son at age Read More
Scrapes and Scars: No Secrets (A Survivor Story)
The first time it happened I was 12 years old. My uncle held me down and forced himself on me. Months later he forced himself in my mouth. Years later, my ex-husband did the same thing. For years I believed Read More
Making My Education Dream a Reality
Society tells girls there are things they can’t do. Even though most people won’t admit to this sexism, the invisible caution tape is there. But we have the power to relentlessly pursue our dreams and make them our reality. Throughout Read More
Live Your Dream Awards Stories: Jules Patrice Means
Jules is a past recipient of the Live Your Dream Awards, one of thousands of remarkable women reached by this renowned Soroptimist program. Jules wants to share her extraordinary story of how the awards have changed her life. What were some of the challenges Read More
A Letter to Mom
Dear Mom, Every year, my sisters and I write you a letter. We put it in “The Mom Book,” a pink bound journal that collects years of Mother’s Days. Every year, I try to think of new ideas and new Read More
Gift of Love on Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the women in our lives who have shaped us into the women we are today, whether they are our own moms or other individuals who helped us in our journey. As many of Read More
Following Our Dreams Meant Empowering Women to Follow Theirs
Two and a half years ago, my best friend, Jen, and I started to toss the idea around about starting a business together. Our babies had just gone off to school for the first time, and we found ourselves at Read More
Stories of College Rape Culture
She told me, huddled into a corner on the floor and speaking through tears, that “rape is just something that happens to everyone”. She told me that there was nothing she could do, that recounting it to a professional would Read More
Why I Stayed Silent
“You’re not seeing anyone?” my work-study supervisor asked. “You should go out with my son. He’s a nice guy. The two of you would like each other.” A blind date was a new experience, and I was hesitant. But a Read More