Each year, Soroptimist International of Sequim provides an award called Live Your Dream Award, a program for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The awards, Soroptimist representatives said, give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.

This year, Soroptimist International of Sequim awarded four of those awards to four deserving women:

Alicia Long lives in Port Angeles and is married with one child. She is enrolled at Peninsula College in the nursing program. Because her husband unable to work because of spinal injuries and with her experience as a postpartum doula, she made the decision to become a nurse. The receipt of this scholarship will assure she has the funds for her exams that lead to becoming a board certified nurse.

Rachel Blume lives in Sequim and is the a single mother of two children. Blume said she was inspired to improve her life for herself and her two children and enrolled at Peninsula College. Her interest in welding and it’s various uses lead her to working towards her associate’s degree in welding technology. Blume said she is looking forward to completing her AA with it leading to gainful employment. In addition, shealso has interest in wildlife rehabilitation and hopes after becoming comfortable as a welder she can expand her interest in her love of wildlife.

Bee Wilkerson is a resident of Port Angeles and is enrolled in the Port Townsend School of Massage. Wilkerson is a single mother of two and has always had a desire to assist others in the care of their bodies. As someone who did not graduate from high school, Wilkerson said she made the decision not only to complete her high school education, but also receive her associate’s degree. Wilkerson hopes to take her AA degree and soon to be certification in massage therapy and make for better life for herself and her children.

Rylie Booth has an active life as a single mother of twin boys. She is actively enrolled in the nursing program at Peninsula College. She presently supports herself and her boys as a certified nursing assistant to help with school and living expenses. Booth said she was inspired to become a nurse as a result of the nursing care she received at Swedish hospital and wants to carry that forward with working with women and babies post delivery.

Long and Booth each received $2,000, while Blume and Wilkerson received $1,000.