Educating Women Helps to Eradicate Poverty

I believe there are three primary purposes of education for women: 1. to empower the learner, 2. employ new skills and, 3. eradicate poverty.

As women and mothers increase their knowledge through educational accomplishments, they are also empowering future generations to excel. As the primary caregivers, mothers are usually the ones who establish the learning foundation in their children. (I'm not dismissing the active role of fathers, either.)

On Twitter, I follow a variety of organizations and people. One follower is Bille Baty. He posted a profound statement and question, simultaneously. “Children are how we travel into time. What are you sending back to the future?”

According to UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), adolescent girls and women living in abject poverty are at a higher risk of remaining in poverty. In co-operation with other sectors of the community, young girls and women tend to “inherit the poverty of their mothers and are subjected to abuse and confined to households as slaves.”

It further argues that a country will not truly prosper if its citizens lack the education capacity to thrive in that land. The organization contends that education is a conduit by which one can be part of an affluent and powerful population through a quality education. Impoverished adolescents have numerous hindrances and setbacks including, housing, healthcare, transportation, environmental discrimination, and a lack of quality food. In comparison, their counterparts have greater experiences, more options, and access to superior education. In order for a child or an adult to succeed in any program, a holistic approach should be considered.

What is poverty? Poverty is defined as one’s financial inability to provide the necessities for a stable environment which includes food, clothing, shelter and transportation. According to the 2013 American Community survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, one in 10 Marylanders and one in eight children live in poverty. The majority of this impoverished population is a direct result of insufficient education.

In spite of the sobering statistics, women with young children can minimize their plight. They can make a favorable impact in their lives and subsequently, their children too.

Here are 6 merit-based resources which include scholarships and women-specific grants.

#1. The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund (www.rankinfoundation.org) awards scholarships to low-income women, ages 35 and older, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing an undergraduate education at an accredited college or university in the United States.

#2. The Live Your Dream Award sponsored by Soroptimist (www.soroptimist.org) provides grants to women who are the primary financial supporter for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

#3. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation (www.patsyminkfoundation.org) aims to convey the founder’s most passionate commitments: educational access, opportunity, and equity for low-income women, especially mothers; and educational enrichment for children. In 2016, the Foundation will offer five educational awards of up to $5000 each to assist low-income women with children who are pursuing post-secondary education.

#4. The American Association of University Women (www.aauw.org) awards millions of dollars annually in fellowships, grants, and awards that encourage educational and professional development, resources for members facing employment challenges.

#5. The Baltimore City Community College Foundation (www.bcccfoundation.org/scholarships) supports students with scholarships so they can build their careers, strengthen their families and communities.

#6. The Reference Service Press (www.rspfunding.com) compiles a comprehensive list of scholarships, fellowships, loans, grants, awards, and other funding opportunities. My personal catalog has proven to be a valuable resource. You can also access several reference materials from the local library as well.

Identify your unique traits (ie. nationality, membership, gender, etc.) to qualify for and apply to those grants. Since you do not have to pay back grants and scholarships, take advantage of the opportunity. Oftentimes, you will find financial aid in unexpected sources. Check with your employer, community organizations and your elected officials. I would strongly encourage you to check with your local workforce development office and career advisor. The Workforce Investment Act has federal funding to help those that are unemployed and underemployed to increase their occupational skills. (I'll share more about that in a future post!)

The Obama Administration proposes to make community college free for deserving students for the first two years. If all 50 states choose to implement the new proposal, it could save a full-time community college student an average of $3,800 in tuition per year. The proposal could also benefit roughly 9 million students each year. The proposal has yet to be finalized.

As women move toward a better quality of life for their children, I'm reminded of a quote I read by Irina Bokova, who is the Director-General of UNESCO: “From better health to increased wealth, education is the catalyst of a better future for millions of children, youth and adults. No country has ever climbed the socioeconomic development ladder without steady investments in education."

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