GFWC Women's Club of South County Awards Scholarships

The Greater Federation of Women's Clubs Women's Club of South County recently awarded over $13,500 in scholarships to applicants from North Kingstown and Wakefield. Since 1997, the club has been committed to helping women in southern Rhode Island achieve educational and career goals. Scholarships are available to Washington County women who are at least age nineteen and enrolled in, or accepted in, an accredited educational program leading to a degree (associate or bachelor's) or a certificate required to practice a career or vocation. Preference is given to highly motivated, low-income women--with dependence--who need further education or training to become more self-supporting.

This year's scholarship recipients include Ana Pimental-Sanchez, a single mother of three, who is pursuing a degree in social work at the Community College of Rhode Island. Having personally experienced difficulties, including living in a shelter, she says she wants to help other people in need. Rebecca Cardoza, who received a scholarship to attend the University of Rhode Island, is majoring in psychology because, she says, the degree will help her "understand why people do what they do," which will be useful in helping "them resolve their problems." Recipients not pictured include Damariss Hartsfield, a single mother of two children, who is attending CCRI for nursing. Virginia Burdick, who is currently a certified nursing assistant (CNA), is using her scholarship to pay off the cost of a CNA class. She hopes to continue her education and become an RN. Gabrielle Mowry of North Kingstown, is continuing her studies in the nursing program at Rhode Island College. This is the second year she has earned a GFWC WCSC scholarship. Also receiving scholarships are Vickie Johnson who is attending CCRI and another recipient who is studying at the University of Rhode Island.

Scholarship awards range from hundreds to thousands of dollars for selected applicants. All funds are distributed directly to the educational institution for tuition costs only. Applicants are accepted from mid-January to early April, for awards that are announced at the end of June. To learn more about the program, visit www.gfwcri.org on a laptop or tablet computer and select GFWC South County.