WOMEN HELPING WOMEN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Business & Professional Women of Nevada County members who realized that there were already many scholarships available for young women graduating from high school but few, if any, for more mature women returning to school founded the Women Helping Women scholarship program 15 years ago,. Since 1998, BPWNC has awarded 35 scholarships to deserving women over 25 years old. Women who are looking to their future receive a hand up both financially and through mentoring. The WHW scholarship is about saying, “We believe in you!”
WHW scholarships help with tuition, books, childcare or any other needed services or supplies that support a return to education. Awards are from $1000 to $3000 and are awarded twice each year, in February and August based on applications and need and available funds. Our goal is to give at least $5000 in scholarships throughout the year.
While the WHW scholarship is administered by the board of the tax exempt Education Fund, the program belongs to all the members of BPWNC. Indeed, it is part of BPWNC’s mission statement to support educational opportunities for women. With the enthusiastic participation of all our members, BPWNC can continue to make a difference for local women who are already working hard to achieve their goals.
The board of the Education Fund/Women Helping Women Scholarship program invites all members to become involved by serving on the Ed Fund board, donating money toward the scholarship award, raising funds or helping in many other capacities. Join us and give women the priceless gift of education.
For further information contact lwinparadise1@sbcglobal.net or 477-0746.
Lynn Wenzel, President
Judith McCarrick, Vice-President
Charlotte Cammon, Treasurer
Linda Horwitz, Secretary
Pamela Bryars, Bd Member
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What A Difference An Education
Can Make For Women
By Lynn Wenzel
As we see in countries where women are kept from education, terrorism, violence and ignorance reign. Moreover, an educated mother has educated children. Education is essential for financial and life preparedness.
There is no predicting where the future may take us. What if a spouse dies? What if a woman is divorced? What if you are a single working mother, trying to support your family on two minimum wage jobs? What if you are an older woman finally able to train for the career you always dreamed of, but haven’t had the funds to finish?
Every woman needs education, skills, and training to handle the “what ifs” of life. That is where the Women Helping Women Annual Scholarship Award comes in. Sponsored by Business and Professional Women of Nevada County (BPW-NC) Education Fund, the scholarships help mature women desirous of returning to school with tuition, books, and childcare or any other needed services or supplies that support a return to school. The group has raised $20,000 in scholarships during the past 14 years.
At the recent 14th Annual Women Helping Women Scholarship Award ceremony held at the Holbrooke Hotel, three local women each received a $1,100 scholarship to help them look to the future and provide for themselves.
This year’s winners are Justine Chapman, studying to be an elder care nurse at Sierra College; Victoria Doris, a child advocate studying Intentional Teaching and conflict resolution at Sacramento State University; and Laura Schumacher, studying to be a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Sierra College. Each endured hardships, and overcame personal and educational challenges. The women also manifest a resolute vision for their future.
After dropping out of high school in 11th grade and ending up in trouble, Justine Chapman began putting her life together again. She was accepted into the Nevada County Felony Drug Court in 2009. After completing that program, she enrolled full time at Sierra College where she has maintained an average grade point of 3.0 or better and succeeded in making the President’s Honor Roll in the spring of 2011.
Since becoming clean and sober, Justine has become a role model for others. She speaks at high schools and mentors juveniles in need. Justine has been a Certified Nurse Assistant and Emergency Medical Technician for 11 years. She intends to complete her prerequisites at Sierra College, attain her RN and work with the elderly.
Victoria Doris has always been involved in education, especially early childhood education, and has taught pre-school children for the past 13 years. In May 2001, Victoria received “The Outstanding Provider of the Year Award” from the Gold Country Association for the Education of Young Children.
Victoria is currently attending Sacramento State University and will complete her Early Childhood Bachelor’s Degree in the spring of 2013. She intends to continue her valuable work with children in a management capacity when she graduates.
Laura Schumacher has worked as a hair stylist for 10 years. She is a single mom of a two-year-old named Payton. During her pregnancy, she discovered that Payton had gastroschosis and had to have major surgery at birth. She was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for almost three weeks and Laura was there 24/7.
The care that one great nurse gave to Payton, changed Laura’s career path and she decided to become a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse. It was difficult to work, go to school and be a single mom, but Laura made it through and received three A’s and a B. This semester, she is taking a six unit Chemistry course and has only three more science courses before she is finished with her Pre-requisites for the RN program.
Scholarship winners Justine, Victoria and Laura demonstrated they are motivated, ambitious, and display the potential to succeed in the workplace.
Generous donations from BPW-NC members and members of the community provide a helping hand that can make the difference between success and failure for women in our community.
2011-2012 winners of the Business and Professional Women of Nevada County’s 14th Annual Women Helping Women educational scholarships each recently received $1,100 to help support their return to school. Left to right: Victoria Doris, a child advocate studying Intentional Teaching and conflict resolution at Sacramento State University, Justine Chapman, studying to be an Elder Care Nurse at Sierra College, and Laura Schumacher, studying to be a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Sierra College.