Congratulations Women & Giving Scholarship Recipients

The Foundation’s Women & Giving Advisory Committee met in early November to review applications for this year’s Women & Giving scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to deserving non-traditional female students in line with the program’s mission to help women overcome barriers, increase opportunities, and achieve goals.

Lejean Beck, April Geffre, Amanda Sowers, and Jessica Yada, all attending Lake Area Technical College, and Thelma Waldner, attending Mount Marty University were this year’s recipients. Each received a $3,000 scholarship to assist with their post-secondary education.

“Our scholarship recipients are often young mothers and women returning to school to increase their career potential,” said Cammie Mengwasser, Executive Director of the Watertown Area Community Foundation. “By helping to reduce some of the financial barriers these women face, they are able to further their education and ultimately increase their career opportunities to the benefit of themselves, their family, and our community.” 

The Women & Giving Program began in 2004 with the first scholarships awarded in 2006. Over the past twenty years, $411,000 in Women & Giving grants and scholarships have been awarded in support of area women and children in the Watertown area.