Meet Our Scholars
"For millions, education is the only resource against poverty." - Former Chief Justice of Georgia, Leah Sears
Education can mean the difference between minimum wage and a living salary, between a life of poverty and a promising future.
This year, women are receiving hope, strength and financial assistance in the form of Jeannette Rankin scholarships. From all over the country, these women submitted applications for financial aid, because they are working to conquer poverty. In addition to scholarships, Jeannette Rankin Fund encourages and strengthens scholars through cards, phone calls, emails and a support network of other recipients and alumnae.
For 42 years we have been empowering women through education with more than 800 women have been awarded Jeannette Rankin Fund scholarships, but the impact is far greater than their lives. Jeannette Rankin scholars have families and friends and communities that benefit from their education. As women become financially secure, their families can eat healthier, spend more time together, and most importantly, their families see how education can benefit them, too. Beyond families, the community is affected. Jeannette Rankin scholars all have a passion for giving to others and know how their education will help them do just that. Trained accountants are helping low-income members of the community file taxes, nurses donate time at local clinics, artists help others through art therapy and teachers inspire generations to pursue their dreams of higher learning.
Jeannette Rankin Fund supporters are breaking the cycle of poverty and instituting a new cycle, one that encourages growth, self-sufficiency, and volunteerism.
Dora was at a crossroads in her life in 2015. She was feeling particularly discouraged with the path she was on. She came home one day to find her husband had left her on her own to raise her two sons, ages 6 and 16, and he had taken almost everything they owned with him.
Later that year while riding in the car with her oldest son, she confessed her despair and discouragement. He said to her “You always wanted to be a doctor, you should go do that. It’s not too late.” In that moment, Dora decided to embrace education as her new fight song. Dora has struggled with depression since she was nine years old, but she found the strength and courage to move forward from her lowest point. Her motto was now: “I can let this make me bitter, or I can let it make me better.”
Dora transformed as she went back to school at Cuyahoga Community College. She lost an incredible 131 pounds all while having multiple surgeries and health challenges that stemmed from a car accident. She graduated from Cuyahoga Community College in May 2017 with high honors and has since moved to Case Western Reserve University and is in pursuit of her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s Studies.
“I am pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree to show my sons that it is never too late to start learning and it is never too late to pursue your dream. School has become a light in my life and has taught me to test my personal boundaries.”
Dora will graduate with her Bachelor’s Degree in May 2020 and she plans to continue on to obtain a Master’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Nonprofit Management. Her ultimate goal is to give back and help women who come from similar situations as herself. She hopes to help these women deal with mental health challenges and to make a meaningful life for their families and their communities.
One of the unique features of the Jeannette Rankin Scholarship is that is can be used for what each Scholar needs most to reach graduation. Going to school costs much more than tuition. Dora is a perfect example of using this feature to her advantage.
“The Jeannette Rankin Scholarship has helped pay for books, it has helped keep food on the table during the semester, and allowed me to focus more on my studies.”
This year, Dora is one of 120 Scholars we have the privilege to support. Dora is an incredible example of our Scholars’ universal drive to build better lives not only for themselves, but for their families, their communities, and for other women who are in trying situations.
By investing in JRF, you are making an investment into a group of Scholars, just like Dora, who will go on to make a change in their corner of the world. This is the power education can have.
As we near the end of 2019 and the start of a new semester for our Scholars, will you join us in the pursuit of transformative education for women like Dora? Every gift made goes towards a scholarship that allows women to achieve their dreams and give back to their community.
We hope you’ll consider a donation that will empower women through education.
Click on the Photos to learn more about our Scholars!
Scholar Stories
