• Home>
• Read Reviews>
• JEANNETTE RANKIN FOUNDATION INC

It was my lifelong dream to be able to go to college and get education. My passions are the fields of Information Technology and Computer Science. However due to difficult pregnancies and later taking time off to be with my children I couldn't go to school until in my 30s. It was a huge step for me to go back to school after so many years. In addition my hearing loss is yet another one of many obstacles to overcome. I didn't know how I would do it if not for help and support of Jeannette Rankin Foundation. Now I am 2 years away from an engineering degree. It's still a long road, however with JR foundation's generous help, I can do it. This will means a lot for my family, it will enable me to give back to community and the country I love.

One of my student jobs was working in a college’s financial aid dept. I know after age 24 scholarship eligibilities sharply decline to scarce. It’s more common for men in this age group to have veteran benefits than women, so scholarships are even more precious to women over age 35. I’m eternally grateful beyond what words can express for Jeannette Rankin (JR) and the Athena Group for making my bachelor’s degree possible. JR is more than college funding, but personally get involved in the lives of scholarship recipients, and provides a platform for fellow scholars to share ideas, encourage, and mentor each other. JR is a catalyst for the development and success of the entire person. I graduated magna cum laude May 2009 from Oklahoma State University. Marketing major, management minor, with unofficial ‘minor’ or focus of Social Marketing. Being electric wheelchair bound in a city with nominal public transit, my income options were limited. I now serve non-profits in Tulsa through grant writing, community relations, and successful advocacy for those with both visible and “hidden” disabilities. Completion of my degree which JR made possible not only equipped me to serve, but provides me the credibility to be heard. They’re also good stewards of what’s entrusted to them, and I want to thank the staff for all of the tireless hours they additionally volunteer to make education and futures possible for not only the current recipients, but also their successive generations. Each scholarship recipient has already invested in their respective communities and/or future career fields. The diverse recipients are hard-working, outstanding women who are facing enormous challenges to achieve enlightenment and empowerment through education both in and outside of the classroom.

I am the mother of three who started very early raising kids. I got pregnant at fifteen with the first one and was a new mom at sixteen. I spent many years at home taking care of the family and raising the children while my husband of 29 years worked to support us the best he could. When our middle child was struggling through his first semester experiences in college I promised to return the next semester with him for support. Saddly he did not continue on after that second semester (yet) but I did. During my last few semester I learned about JRF and decided to apply to ease my student loans and received the scholarship. I really appreciate the foundations help and only wish I had known of them sooner, but every bit helps. Thank you so much to JRF for the help they gave me!!!!

Graduation May 2010

Two days before Thanksgiving in 2003 I fled with my 3-year-old son from an abusive marriage. The emotional and psychological damage had taken it's toll on me, and we were homeless for about a year, but by 2005 I was ready to go back to school to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing. Thanks in part to JRF I was able to complete my schooling without taking on any school loans, and I graduated debt-free in 2009. JRF was very supportive, sending letters of encouragement and little gifts throughout my time in school. One of my favorite gifts was a small book of sticky-notes and muti-colored sticky-note flags that came in very handy for marking pages in my notes and textbooks while studying. I know that sounds like a little thing, but every time I used it, I was reminded that someone out there thought I was worth supporting. I also appreciated the website, and letters and booklets they sent with stories of other clients and quotes and encouraging tips from other scholarship recipients. They even included one of my own quotes, which made me feel valued and appreciated. Now that I'm earning a good salary, I intend to support JRF, and I highly recommend donating to this organization. By touching my life, JRF helps me to touch the lives of countless patients and their families in my new career.

This organization is wonderful. They are helping us to achieve our dreams by bettering ourselves and our lives for ourselves and our children. This grant is a blessing in my life helping to pay my rent while I am going back to school to find a better and higher paying job. This is helping me to secure my future and not have to depend on anyone but myself for supporting myself and my kids. Thanks JRF, I couldn't do this without you!!