Soroptimist International of Palm Desert

Improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, at a time when women were not permitted to join service organizations. Our name, loosely translated from the Latin, means Best for Women. Today, we have about 160,000 members and supporters in 21 countries and territories.

Since chartering in 1963, Soroptimist International of Palm Desert members have provided volunteer service to our community and, through our many international projects, to the world.
If you are a woman who wishes to provide volunteer service in an atmosphere of support, friendship and fun, then joining Soroptimist may be right for you. Our years of experience working with women and girls has taught us that education is the key to unlocking economic empowerment of the world's women and girls. When women and girls are educated, they have opportunity, choice and power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families. Our programs include the annual Live Your Dream Awards, Dream it Be it Program for middle school girls and the Soroptimist House of Hope (a recovery home in Desert Hot Springs). Since the pandemic, our club has also adopted Sea View Elementary School in the Salton Sea area for a special Girl Power section of their library. We donated over 100 books to empower and inspire young girls in one of the most underserved and financially challenged areas of our valley. Our Soroptimist Store at the school also provides warm coats, and household supplies via a partnership with Bed Bath and Beyond.

Testimonials

On March 9, 2022, Soroptimist International of Palm Desert held our annual Live Your Dream Award Presentation dinner at Piero's PizzaVino on El Paseo in Palm Desert, California. Amber Hoose was the primary honoree and was awarded $1,250 from our club and a second award of $1,500 from Indio City Council member Glenn Miller in honor of his mother, with the Phyllis J. Sullivan Award. This was the second year in a row that Glenn has honored his mother in this fashion. According to Glenn, Phyllis knew the value of education and went back to school in her 30s to become a highly skilled Interior Designer. Amber told our President after the award: "I feel very overwhelmed and excited knowing that I won the Soroptimist award. To be honest I was crying when I found out that I was going to regional. I didn't think someone like me can make it that far in something so big. This award helped me and my family by paying some of our bills. I was able to purchase clothes for my children, although they don't fit them anymore. My kids are growing so fast. My plans are to finish school in the next two semesters and hopefully find a career in accounting, which is my dream job."