Soroptimist awards $5,000 to help 4 women with their educational goals
Hannah Mason, Soroptimist Carolyn LaPorte & Shannon Tindall.
Photo Credit: Marci Stainton
Members of Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th by presenting $5,000 in cash awards to four women to invest in their education and help them create a better life for themselves and their families. The 2025 Soroptimist Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards were given with the support of 100 Men Who Care of Kawartha Lakes.
First-place recipient of the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards Shannon Tindall of Lindsay received $2,000 from the program. Shannon is enrolled in the massage therapy program at Oxford College to become a registered massage therapist. On receiving the award, Shannon said “I feel empowered knowing that organizations like yours believe in my potential.”
Hannah Mason of Peterborough received the second-place award of $1,500. Hannah also attends Oxford College and is enrolled in the nursing program.
The third-place award of $1,000 was given to Karen McArdle of Kaladar, who is attending Loyalist College, enrolled in the nursing program.
For 2025, the club was able to provide a fourth award of $500 to Gursharan Gaur Dhillon of Peterborough who is enrolled at Trent University working on her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology.
In addition to providing the primary financial support for their families, eligible applicants must be enrolled in, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program and must demonstrate financial need. Recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or enhance their skills, such as books, child or dependent care, tuition and transportation. Decisions on who receives the awards are made by a panel of local professional women (non-Soroptimists). Since 2012, the Kawartha Lakes club has invested $34,500 in the dreams of 30 women through the program.
A registered charity, the club raises funds through different fundraising activities throughout the year. New members are always welcomed. For more information about Soroptimist and their support for women and girls, check out their website at: , www.sikawarthalakes.org or send an email to: info@sikawarthalakes.org.
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Submitted by: Nancy Newton, 705-324-3980
