The Shoe Project

Almost 20 years ago, Soroptimists of Oakland took a class of school girls from a low-income elementary school out shopping for new shoes. Over the years, the shopping program grew into "Steps to Success" -- providing girls with role models to help them find the path that will help them to live their dreams and take steps forward in life to success. (And yes, we still go shopping for new shoes!)

At the 2024 event, 33 girls from Madison Park Academy Primary School and Horace Mann Elementary School heard inspiring stories from Karen Dawkins-Sergeant Alameda Sheriff's Department, Carolina Wallin-Civil Engineer, and Isha Brown-Criminalist 3-Alameda.  See our News page for details.

At the 2018 event, the girls heard from a the Superintendent of Oakland Public Schools, a carpenter, a civil engineer, a soccer coach, firefighters, a cosmetologist, and police officers and crime evidence technicians.

In 2016, we led a day-long workshop for more 40 girls that featured Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf along with Oakland women firefighters, doctors, astronomers, teachers, administrators, construction professionals, dentists and many more. And, of course, we took the girls shopping for new shoes so they could continue their "Steps to Success."

Thanks to our partners, donors, and all the volunteers that have supported this project through the years. Contact us if you're interested in helping support the Shoe Project - or make a gift to support the girls' "Steps to Success."