By Bonnie Mauldin | Published: August 25, 2026
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation provides grants to women and other eligible nontraditional students seeking vocational training, associate degrees, or their first bachelor’s degree.
Georgia has long been known for its spirit of generosity, resilience, and commitment to community. Few organizations embody those values more completely than the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, a nonprofit with deep roots in Athens, Georgia, that is changing lives through educational opportunity. Founded in 1976, the organization has become a national leader in supporting adult women pursuing higher education while maintaining a strong connection to its Georgia origins.
In a recent conversation with Michelle Ozuma, President of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, one message came through clearly: investing in women’s education is not simply an educational issue. It is an economic issue, a family issue, and a community issue.
A Foundation Built on Opportunity
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation provides grants to women and other eligible nontraditional students seeking vocational training, associate degrees, or their first bachelor’s degree. What makes the organization stand out is that its grants are unrestricted and non-tuition based, allowing recipients to use the funds wherever the need is greatest.
For many students, that difference is life-changing.
Unlike traditional scholarship programs that send funds directly to colleges and universities, the Rankin Foundation trusts recipients to determine how the money can best support their educational journey. Sometimes that means paying rent, fixing a vehicle, covering childcare expenses, or purchasing groceries.
As Ozuma explained, a scholarship can be the difference between dropping out of school and staying enrolled. In one memorable example, a scholar was able to repair a flat tire and make it to a critical exam because of Rankin funding.
That trust-based approach has become one of the Foundation’s defining strengths.
Georgia’s Influence on Leadership
Azuma credits much of her leadership philosophy to her years working in nonprofit organizations throughout Georgia.
Having served in statewide leadership roles, she learned firsthand that meaningful change begins with relationships. Whether working with donors, educators, students, or community leaders in Georgia’s 159 counties, Ozuma discovered that authentic connections and mutual respect create lasting impact.
She also witnessed Georgia’s remarkable culture of philanthropy.
“When people see tangible results and real lives being changed, they want to be part of the solution,” she shared.
Those lessons now guide her leadership of a foundation that serves scholars from Maine to Hawaii while remaining proudly connected to its Georgia heritage.
The Challenges Facing Adult Women Returning to School
Many people assume that the greatest obstacle for adult learners is academic preparedness. According to Ozuma, the reality is far more complex.
The women served by the Foundation are often balancing multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Many are single mothers. Others are caring for aging parents while supporting children and grandchildren. Most are working jobs while attending school.
The median income of Rankin scholars is approximately $28,000 annually, yet many are managing households and family obligations that would challenge anyone.
Transportation, healthcare, childcare, housing costs, and rising tuition all create barriers that can derail educational goals. Yet despite these challenges, Rankin scholars consistently demonstrate exceptional academic performance, maintaining an average GPA of approximately 3.6.
Their struggle is not a lack of ability. It is often a lack of opportunity.
The Power of Confidence and Community
One of the most inspiring trends Ozuma sees among women returning to college later in life is a dramatic increase in self-confidence.
Many scholars come from backgrounds where pursuing higher education was never encouraged. Some are first-generation college students. Others faced difficult personal circumstances that interrupted their educational paths.
When these women receive not only financial support but also a community that believes in them, remarkable transformations occur.
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation provides ongoing support through program staff, virtual meetings, resources, and networking opportunities designed to help scholars succeed. Rather than feeling isolated, students become part of a nationwide network of women pursuing similar goals.
That support system often becomes as valuable as the grant itself.
Stories of Courage and Perseverance
The Foundation’s impact is best understood through the stories of its scholars.
One woman, a survivor of domestic violence, overcame homelessness while raising children. Determined to build a better future, she returned to school and eventually became a Fulton County Commissioner in Georgia.
Another scholar, a Native American single mother from Montana, earned her degree and later completed a master’s program. Today, she serves as the first Native American journalist at a major television station in Missoula and has produced documentaries highlighting Indigenous women’s experiences.
A former Rankin scholar from the Pacific Northwest is now a marine biologist whose work focuses on protecting coral reef ecosystems in Saudi Arabia.
These stories share a common theme: educational opportunity creates generational change.
Why Women’s Education Matters
The benefits of supporting women extend far beyond individual success.
According to Ozuma, educated women often reinvest in their families and communities. Many pursue careers in education, healthcare, public service, and nonprofit leadership. They become role models for their children and advocates for future generations.
The economic impact is substantial as well.
Women who complete higher education can dramatically increase their lifetime earnings, strengthen local economies, and contribute more significantly through taxes and workforce participation.
As Azuma emphasized, “women’s issues are economic issues.”
When women succeed, families become stronger, communities become healthier, and economies become more resilient.
A Growing National Presence with Georgia Roots
Since becoming president in 2020, Ozuma has helped expand the Foundation’s national reach while preserving its Georgia identity.
The organization now supports hundreds of scholars across the country and has significantly increased its outreach to Native American communities and Tribal Colleges. Today, nearly half of the Foundation’s scholars come from Native American backgrounds, reflecting a commitment to serving diverse populations.
Yet Georgia remains central to the Foundation’s story.
The organization continues to maintain a strong presence in Athens, where it was founded, and supports scholars throughout the state.
How Georgians Can Help
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation relies on community support to continue its mission.
One unique volunteer opportunity involves helping review scholarship applications. Volunteers gain firsthand insight into the determination and resilience of the women pursuing educational opportunities.
The Foundation also welcomes financial contributions of all sizes. As Ozuma noted, philanthropy is not limited to individuals capable of making six-figure donations. Every contribution helps create opportunities for women striving to change their lives through education.
For those interested in learning more, volunteering, donating, or applying for assistance, visit www.rankinfoundation.org.
Celebrating the People Who Make Georgia Great
At Highlight Georgia, we celebrate individuals and organizations that strengthen our state through service, innovation, and compassion.
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation exemplifies all three.
By investing in women whose educational journeys were interrupted by life’s challenges, the Foundation is proving that it is never too late to learn, never too late to lead, and never too late to change the future.
Through education, trust, and unwavering support, the Jeannette Rankin Foundation is transforming lives one scholar at a time, while reminding us all that Georgia’s greatest resource has always been its people.
Read the article here: Jeannette Rankin Foundation: Empowering Women Through Education | Highlight Georgia