The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati

2012 Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Award

The YWCA

The mission of the YWCA is to empower women and eliminate racism. Today the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati reaches more than 35,000 women and their families annually through critically needed programs that include two battered women shelters and transitional housing; intervention services for male abusers and at-risk youth; adult and family literacy programs; job readiness, placement, and case management programs for single mothers transitioning from public assistance; GED tutoring and classes; a breast and cervical health network; youth health and wellness programs; the Salute to Career Women of Achievement; and the Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Fund.

Mamie Earl Sells

Mamie Earl Sells was committed to young people, promoting programs that encouraged them to expand and improve their personal lives and career opportunities. This scholarship, being awarded for the 20th year, is dedicated to her memory, to honor her loyalty and service to the community through her volunteer work in the arts, race relations, education, and social services. Personally dedicated to the YWCA during the last decade of her life, Mamie played a leadership role in developing the Salute to Career Women of Achievement event, and served as board member, vice president of membership, and overall friend to the YWCA. This scholarship award honors Mamie’s philosophy that we must “lift as we climb,” meaning that we must act as role models and mentors to the young women of today and tomorrow.

Scholarship Application Criteria
  • Student must be an African American female.
  • Student must be in the top 1/3of her high school class and/or have a minimum scholastic average of “B” (3.0).
  • Student must be attending a high school in the Greater Cincinnati area.
  • Scholarships will be awarded upon proof of enrollment at a post-secondary institution or college.

Scholarship Evaluation Factors

This donor-restricted fund provides financial assistance to African American females entering academic post-secondary institutions. Factors evaluated by the scholarship committee include:

  • Academic record
  • Ability to Overcome Adversity
/
  • Involvement in extracurricular activities
  • Community Service

  • High school class rank
/
  • Employment history

  • Essay quality
  • ACT and/or SAT scores
/
  • Application of special talents

All information will be kept confidential.

The Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship winner will be honored at the prestigious YWCA Salute to Career Women of Achievement luncheon, in May 2012. In addition, the top finalists will also receive recognition.

The following application is four pages long. Be sure to include all required materials and fill out all sections of this application. A completed application packet will include this completed application, typewritten essays, a current high school transcript, a copy of any ACT and/or SAT scores, and two letters of recommendation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

all Applications must be received by TUESDAY, January17, 2012.

(If needed, you may copy this application form or visit

Send Completed Application Packages to:

The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati
Development Department – MES Scholarship

898 Walnut Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

For questions or more information, please call Sophia Helms at 513-361-2127 or email .

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The 2012 Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Award Application

All of the following items must be completed for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All information will be kept confidential. Please be sure to type or print your answers legibly. You may use additional paper if needed. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

Personal Information
Name
Last / First / Middle
Address, City, State
Zip / Phone / Cell
Email / Birth Date
Father’s Name / Employer / Position
Mother’s Name / Employer / Position
Guardian’s Name / Employer / Position
Number of people living in your
household (including yourself) / Annual Gross Household Income
Less than $25,000 $25,000-$50,000 $50,000-$75,000 $75,000+
High School Information
High School
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone / Fax
Grade Point Average / GPA Date
Does your High School offer AP classes? / Yes No
Class Size / Class Rank (if applicable)
High School Counselor Name (Please Print)
High School Counselor Signature
Counselor Phone / Counselor Email
College Information
What is your proposed college major?
To which schools have you applied?
Which schools have accepted you?
Which school are you planning to attend? (if decided)
Please list any academic awards/honors you have received.
Name of Award/Honor / Year Received / Reason Received
Please list your extracurricular activities in school. Be sure to include leadership positions.
Activity / Dates of Participation / Office Held
Please list your community involvement. Be sure to include leadership positions.
Organization / Volunteer Role/Activity / Hours Volunteered / Dates of Service / High School Credit received? (y/n)
Please list your employment history below.
Name of Employer / Job Description / Dates of Employment

Essay Questions

On a separate piece of paper, write a personal statement to answer the following questions.

Each essay should be typewritten and be approximately 200 – 300 words.

  1. What is the greatest challenge or hardship that you have faced in your life?

How has it affected who you are and decisions you have made? How has it affected your life goals? Examples may include, but are not limited to: losing a parent, family member or close friend; struggles with poverty; challenges involving a physical, emotional or mental affliction.

  1. What does Mamie Earl Sells’ philosophy, “to lift as we climb,” mean to you?

Have you had any female role models that have shaped your life? Share your personal experience. Be sure to explain why acting as a role model and mentor to young women of today and tomorrow is important not only for you, but for all women. You may include your education and career goals.


Please check to ensure that you have completed and included all of the following items in your application packet.

Completed application form (Please remember to include your high school counselor’s name and contact information, as well as your school’s contact information!)

Two essays, typewritten

a copy of your high school transcript

a copy of your act and/or sat scores

two letters of recommendation

Student’s Signature / Date
Parent/Guardian’s Signature / Date

(if student is under 18 years of age)

How did you find out about this scholarship?

School Youth Organization Church/Religious Organization Other

Please submit all materials (applications, essays, transcripts, test scores, and letters) together in one complete application package to:

The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati
Development Department – MES Scholarship

898 Walnut Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Completed application packages are due no later than

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2012.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sophia Helms at (513) 361-2127 or email .

Thank you and good luck!

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