Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County awards $43,000 in scholarships to local women

The Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County (TheWomensResourceCenter.org), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering women in Sarasota County and enriching their lives, recently awarded 43 scholarships of $1,000 each to Sarasota County residents to either complete or continue their education toward an employment goal.

More than 100 children, family members and friends attended the ceremony on Sunday, May 17. Scholarship donors, including Betty Schoenbaum, Andy Fox, and Sara de Soto chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution (DAR), among others, were also there to personally present scholarship checks to the deserving women.

During the presentation of the awards, where not a dry eye could be found, recipients were given the opportunity to say a few words. Women shared their stories of overcoming obstacles in order to achieve their goals and dreams. One woman left her family in Afghanistan to move to the United States, where she learned English by watching cartoons, while other women shared inspirational stories of overcoming homelessness, cancer and other hardships.

“I admire you all,” said Schoenbaum, who contributed to 15 scholarships for Sarasota County women and gave them all her renowned heart-to-heart hug. “You juggle your time with families, jobs and school and some of you are even starting new careers mid life. This is one of the best days of my entire year.”

Blanca Aquino, a longtime recipient of the scholarship, obtained her accounting degree from the University of South Florida. “Aquino has been a scholarship recipient for four years, and this year’s scholarship will help Blanca with her course review and eventually her CPA exam,” said Eileen Roemer, the scholarship committee chair.

“The Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County has been a huge part of my life,” said Aquino, who has been attending school while working full time with the Manatee Glens. “I am very thankful to the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County for helping me so much during the past four years and for believing in me.”

Valerie Goddard, the executive director of the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County, spoke briefly about perseverance and hard work during the scholarship awards ceremony.

“The Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County is investing in the lives of these women who demonstrate a great drive and are focused on moving forward to achieve their highest potential,” said Goddard. “We’ve seen an increase in average earnings of 26 percent over 2014’s returning scholarship recipients. As women increase their education and training, their earning abilities increase as well. We are changing the lives of families and impacting the Sarasota County community and economy.”

The majority of the Scholarship recipients are pursuing degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Others are attending school for degrees in business, education, criminal justice, interior design, English and psychology, among others.

Established in 1986, the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County’s (WRCSC) annual scholarship program has been a service of the nonprofit and is made possible through contributions of its members and donors. This year, 57 applications were reviewed, candidates were interviewed and carefully selected for the scholarship. Forty percent of the 2014 grant recipients received the scholarship again this year.

The scholarships serve non-traditional, female students. They must be over the age of 21, reside in Sarasota County and be accepted to or attending an accredited postsecondary vocational school, two- or four-year institution.

Six mentors will be working with the scholarship recipients to track each woman’s progress, including their grade point averages. Typically, scholarship beneficiaries have well above a 3.0 grade average.

About the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County

For over 30 years, the countywide not-for-profit agency has provided women with life skills training, career services and scholarships to achieve their highest potential. For more information, visit TheWomensResourceCenter.org or call 941.366.1700.