Recognition Program
The Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women (formerly the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award) acknowledges women who, through their personal or professional activities, work to improve the lives of women and girls. The work of these women helps to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are ordinary women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbying companies to provide on-site child care. The program enables local Soroptimist clubs and the Soroptimist organization to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls.

The program begins on the club level, where the type of recognition varies. Award winners at the club level are eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. The finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is now a proud sponsor of the Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women. Established in 1832, Janney provides comprehensive financial advice and superior service to individual, corporate and institutional investors. Janney believes in building enduring client relationships based on integrity, experience and trust.

This sponsorship demonstrates Janney’s investment in women who have worked in extraordinary ways to help other women and girls to live their dreams. In addition to the women/girls being served directly, Janney’s generous sponsorship of the Ruby Award ultimately helps families, communities, and the world.

Eligibility Requirements
Women who are improving the lives of other women or girls through their professional or personal activities are eligible for the Soroptimist Ruby Award. These women have identified and focused on a need in their communities, which has significantly contributed to the improvement of women and girls’ lives.
Although Soroptimist clubs are free to honor a woman for a lifetime of good work, the majority of the work should have occurred within the past two years. Previous award winners, Soroptimists and Soroptimist employees are not eligible for the award. If you would like more information or would like to submit a name for consideration, please contact the .

Past Recipients
Past Making a Difference for Women recipients have included: domestic violence expert and advocate Elaine Weiss; former U.S. Congresswomen Patsy Mink and Patricia Schroeder; novelist and former district attorney Linda Fairstein; Princess Diana; former child actor and U.S. Ambassador Shirley Temple Black; former Philippines President Corazon Aquino; and marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle.