“Women Helping Women” is the theme and mission of PWN.  Perhaps nowhere in the work of PWN is that better demonstrated than in the Scholarship Program.  PWN has made a significant difference in the lives of 55 women since 1992 by providing scholarships to help non-traditional women students realize their education dreams.

PWN Scholarship Foundation

The first PWN scholarships were awarded in September 1992.  The Board allocated $1,000 from membership funds for the scholarships that year, with the idea of increasing the allotment as funds became available.  President Maureen Kenney set up the PWN Scholarship Foundation in 1997 and in 2000 Younkers began offering a Community Day Sale opportunity for not-for-profit organizations to raise funds for their organization.  PWN has benefited for this initative tremendously.

Scholarship Committee

Members of the Scholarship Committee and Board of Directors sell tickets for both Younkers Spring and Fall sales events and provide volunteers to work during the sales.  For each $5 ticket sold by PWN, the PWN Scholarship Foundation receives $5 back.  For each ticket you buy, you receive a $5 discount on a single purchase, discount coupons and the chance to do your holiday shopping or early summer season shopping at special sales and discounted prices.  You can even shop early and have your items held until the day of the sale.

The Scholarship Committee is not only tasked with raising scholarship funds but also with the process of soliciting and reviewing applications for the scholarships, choosing recipients and verifying their references and student eligibility.  Hours of reading applications and thoughtful committee discussion precede the selections.  This year’s scholarship recipients will be presented at the September 28th meeting.

Financial and Psychological Support

While scholarship financial support is important, for many of these women, the emotional and psychological support of PWN as they seek to change their lives, is even more important.  Perhaps you read some of the responses to our Recipient Update Questionnaire in the NetWorker last year.  Without exception the past recipients emphasized that PWN’s support validated their determination to achieve a degree.

PWN SCHOLARSHIP FACTS:      

·        $22,400 has been awarded in scholarship money since 1992

·        Scholarship allotments have more than doubled over the years from $200 per scholarship to $500.

·        Fifty-five non-traditional age women have benefited from PWN’s financial assistance

·        Because of the Committee’s dedicated work and your support of the semi-annual Younkers’ Community Day sales, we have been able to increase the allocated amounts.

·        PWN has received a bonus for selling the most tickets several times.

·        Long range plans include increasing the amount of support awarded annually.

What can you do to be part of this special project of Women Helping Women? 

• Join the Scholarship Committee and help sell tickets.  We’re a fun group!
• Plan your seasonal shopping and buy tickets for discounts on what you would normally purchase anyway.
• Spread the word and encourage a non-traditional woman student to apply for a scholarship.
• Read the success story of past PWN scholarship recipient Janet Boddicker Rampulla in this month’s NetWorker. 
• Mark your calendar, tickets will soon be available for Younkers Community Day sale on Saturday, November 11th.