We're Global

The Soroptimist movement was born a century ago in Oakland, California, and soon spread throughout the world. There are 75,000 Soroptimist clubs in 121 countries. Members work on local projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential and have an equal voice in communities worldwide. Our name, loosely translated from Latin, means Best for Women.

We're Multi-National
Soroptimist International of Las Cruces (SILC) is a member club of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), one of four Soroptimist Federations. SIA has 1,300 clubs in 21 countries and territories including countries in North, Central and South America, as well as Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Puerto Rico. SIA’s focus is providing women with access to education because evidence shows that a quality education — more than anything else — holds the greatest potential to transform the lives of women and girls.

We're Regional and Local
SI of Las Cruces is also part of the Golden West Region. Currently the only club in New Mexico, we serve women and girls in our state and in the El Paso, Texas, area just south of the New Mexico border.  We join with 35 clubs in southern California and Arizona to share ideas, inspiration and resources to collectively increase our impact and invest in the dreams of women and girls in our region.

SILC participates in two Soroptimist signature programs: Live Your Dream and Dream It, Be It.

Live Your Dream Awards are educational grants designed to support women who pursue post-secondary education or training programs while they also provide primary financial support for their families. Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition, and transportation.

Our Dream It, Be It Program has two parts. We host an annual free one-day conference for high school girls that helps them develop skills necessary for success in future educational programs and careers. Girls who attend the conference are eligible to apply for scholarships to assist them in pursing education or training after high school graduation.

GED Testing Scholarships. SI-Las Cruces also partners with Doña Ana Community College to provide testing vouchers for women who have completed preparatory work and are ready to take the tests required for the GED diploma.

For information about joining our dynamic organization, contact Joan Dormody, Membership Chairperson at jdormody@silcnm.org.