Scholarships

THE TAHIRIH SCHOLARSHIPS

Why The Tahirih Association educates girls . . .

FACTS:

	Education increases women's status and decision-making power. Women with 6-10 years of education are 47% more likely to make decisions about resources than women with little or no education.
	Investing in girls' education reduces poverty and expands women's economic opportunities.
	Educated women tend to invest their earnings in child well-being which reduces poverty for the next generation.
	Researchers observed that education changes a girl and her life. It results in later marriage, fewer children, and improved knowledge of child health care.
	Between 1985 and 1997 there were declines of girls' enrollment in secondary education in: - 11 out of 33 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa - 7 out of 11 countries in Central and Western Asia - 6 out of 26 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean - 6 out of 9 countries in Eastern Europe
	Only 8 countries have achieved a level of 30% of women's share of seats in parliament: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, The Netherlands, Germany, and South Africa.
	Only 4 countries have simultaneously achieved gender equality in secondary education (95% or above); and achieved 30% female share of seats in parliament; and 50% women's share of paid employment in industry and services: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway.
	Improving economic literacy of women leads to equitable economic governance.
	Education is the #1 means of pulling people out of poverty. Sources: USAID & American Association of University Women Educational Foundation

TEACH A GIRL, CHANGE THE WORLD SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Congratulations to Lindsey Lugsch
Lindsey Lugsch is pursuing her degree in Gender Studies and Conflict Resolution at Portland State University in Oregon. She is a mediator who has done research at the Western Justice Center in Los Angeles. Lindsey's research helped to rewrite a peer-mediation program that was implemented in several urban schools in Pasadena, California. She has also studied culture, gender and diplomacy in South Africa. After graduation Lindsey will be working for the advancement of women with emphasis on conflict resolution using the principle of gender equality as her guiding principle. In the spirit of Tahirih Lindsey is an agent of change in her very large community!

Shelly Ngubene, South Africa
Seventeen year-old Shelly Ngubene lives in Mamelodi, the third largest township in South Africa. Shelly lives in this brightly painted house with no plumbing, kitchen or bathroom. She lives with mother, father, two brothers, sister, nieces and nephews. Education is the key for women to rise above poverty in South Africa, which boasts more educational facilities than any other country in Africa (81 universities and 153 technical colleges) but with a population of 40 million, most are too poor to afford school and education remains elusive. Shelly’s parents are struggling to educate their children. Shelly is a talented performer who initiated a Sunday school reading class for younger children which has grown into an organized activity for the entire community. Shelly aspires to be an accountant. Her college costs are $1,000 per year.

Luisa Maria Garcia, Honduras
Luisa-Maria Garcia Madrid is 16 years old and lives in the city of Santa Rosa de Copan, in the western part of Honduras. Luisa-Maria lives with her mother and two sisters, ages 23 and 4 years old. Although her family has limited resources, this family of all females possess highly ingrained moral and spiritual values. Luisa-Maria has always maintained an excellent grade average of over of 90%, taking theoretical courses on the mechanics of calculation even though her school didn’t have computers. This mature and selfless young woman is also sensitive to the needs of others. She visits a home for the elderly as well as the pediatric ward of the public hospital, taking food, games and decorating their rooms. She is also involved in many community activities which include a community reforestation project that planted 15,000 trees. She also represented her class in her State Science Olympics, winning first place in mathematics. Luisa-Maria wants to become an engineer in Computer Science, which is not offered by the national public university but only in private colleges whose fees are $4,500 per year. This scholarship will help Luisa-Maria study the career she has chosen rather than having to choose another career because of lack of financial means. She will also be able to finish her career sooner, and therefore will be able to become socially useful and financially independent. This is a great achievement for a young woman in a developing country.

Pte San Hinapa Win Poor Bear, Lakota/Oglala Nation
Pte Saw Hinapa Win Poor Bear, 23 years old, was born White Buffalo Calf Woman on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She is one is one 8 children who is lovingly called “Babe.” Her reservation is located in the poorest county in the United States. Growing up on a reservation has provided Babe many hardships which have taught her strength and perserverance. Babe practices the Lakota way of life, believing that “the Creator's gift to you is your life - what you do with your life is your gift to Creator.” Babe is a full-time college student who also works with autistic children 25 to 30 hours a week. She is a single parent who is looking forward to attending the University of Southern Colorado where she will finish college with her MBA in business. Then she will attend law school. Babe believes that if she can succeed in business, and create economic development opportunity for her people. She says she wants to do something for the betterment of her people. Babe told us that when she heard she won this scholarship she was excited and overwhelmingly honored . She explained that the Tahirih scholarship has made her feel so special that she is now committed to live in the spirit of Tahirih and become a role model to others. We think she is already is!

Cheng “Coco” Xinglian, China
Cheng Xinglian, better known as “Coco” to her friends, is 23 years old and lives in Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province. She is a professional educator who wants to advance her education in psychology. On weekends she goes to her village to help children with their English, and on nights she attends a gathering called the English Corner. Here she studies English and practices reading, writing and speaking English so she’ll be able to communicate when she comes to America to study one day. This is her dream. Coco believes that this will help her to help her country. Her parents are proud of her, and she is happy that they respect her opinions. Among those opinions is that every family member should be equal to express themselves. She loves her parents very much for the support they give her. She has no siblings, which is the standard in China since citizens there are only allowed to have one child per couple. Coco explained to us that women's education in China is better than before, and that many girls in the developed areas of the country can now get a college diploma. But girls in the villages still remain illiterate. This is why she believes so strongly that she must teach them literacy in Chinese and English. Her continuing education will cost $973 each year.

Tjireya Tjitendero, Republic of Namibia
Tjireya Tjitendero is 19 years old, and has achieved some of the highest test scores ever recorded in Namibia, where most women rarely receive a formal education beyond primary school. Those who do, are not encouraged to pursue mathematics or science. Tjireya wants to make history by breaking barriers in the science profession for African women. She has been pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering. Her ultimate goal is to work in her own country in the field of Sustainable Development with an emphasis on ecology and water conservation. Namibia faces major challenges with droughts, hunger and AIDS. Tjireya is the last born of a large family with a house full of relatives and other dependents. Her parents recently became guardians of 7 more children. Tjireya considers herself a social butterfly, and loves socializing and dancing, and is an active member of a performing arts workshop. In September she begins classes in Environmental Engineering and will complete her studies in the United States. Her education will cost $28,000. Tjireya wrote us this letter: “I am extremely thankful to be a recipient if the Tahirih Scholarship. Through your endeavors, and the words, actions, and courage of the example of Tahirih, you are bringing young women like myself into our rightful place of this global society. One day I hope to make a lasting contribution to our world. It will be thanks to the Tahirih Association when I do. I will be able to say that I stood on the shoulders of giants.”

Susan on the Left and Marlen on the right

Susan Carney, United States
She directed numerous TV documentaries including; "The Children Are Watching", for PBS, and "Betrayal: The Truth About Acquaintance Rape" for MSNBC. Susan is currently producing documentary series for Court TV, MSNBC and Discovery Channel. She has also worked very closely with Marlene McCurtis as a director and producer on several projects including, "Hidden Victims: Children of Domestic Violence" and "Adoption Story".

Marline McCurtis, United States
She conceived the idea of turning the "Wednesdays" story into a documentary after reading an article about the project in the NAACP Crisis Magazine. She has over 20 years of documentary production experience. She worked as a producer/writer at Arnold Shapiro Productions for 10 years. There she produced several documentaries including the award winning film "Hidden Victims: Children of Domestic Violence". Recently, she has directed and written for the Discovery Channel ™ documentary series "Adoption Stories" and for the Peabody awarding winning PBS educational show "A Place of Our/Los Ninos en Su Casa".

Susan on the Left and Marlen on the right

Cathee Weiss, United States
She has produced of numerous award-winning television specials for ABC/Disneyland the Harvard School of Education. She also managed the non-fiction division of Mozark Productions where she oversaw and collaborated on numerous nationally recognized political films, including the 1992 and 1996 National Democratic Convention films, "The Man From Hope". Cathee has also produced pieces for KCET award-winning show, "California Connected".

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Joy Sliverman, United States
She is a Presenter and Producer of nationally recognized cultural programs in the arts, education, and for television. She was the Executive Director of Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions(LACE); founder of onramp@sunset a community computer access center for at risk youth and artists and the Co-Founder and Director of the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression. She has served on many grant making panels, exhibition selection panels, Boards and committees of local, state and national organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, LA Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee Task Force for the Arts, J.Paul Getty Fund for Visual Arts, National Association of Artist's Organizations.

Kate Murphy, United States
When Kate Murphy approached the Tahirih Associtaion for help, she had just lost her job as well as a long standing marriage. She was 61 years old and unsure about what direction her life would take. She had always given to her community and was selfless in her service to others. She knew that she wanted to continue her service work but recognized that it would require further education. She turned to the Tahirih Association. After explaining her circumstances and plans for higher education the Tahirih Association granted her scholership to get her on her way. Kate worked hard while studing managing a mobile home park for seniors, forming a women's quartet that performed through out Los Angeles, and teaching piano to children. Two years latter completed a Masters Degree in Counseling from Holme Institute in Los Angeles With her new education Kate began working as the Coordinator of a 12-Step Program for prisoners at a medium security federal prison on Terminal Island in Long Beach. Kate's enthusiasm quickly led to another opportunity in New Orlean ( before Hurricane Katrina devestate the area). There, Kate realized her passion to provide the less fortunate woman. Kate says she lives her life knowing that "each of us is whole, perfect and complete just as we are".

Gay Brazil, United States
She has always fought for equal rights as well as human rights. At 70 years old she promotes social change throught out the world. Now retired from the county of Los Angeles Social Services Department, she continues to with the work she did when she administered programs for Angeleno women of domestic abuse. Gay was determined to continue to make a difference, but new she would need to complete her Masters Degree in Counseling from Holme Institute in Los Angeles. The Tahirih Association strongly believed that a person such as Gay, who had given life-long service to so many, deserved at least the small contribution we could make helping her attain a higher education. We wanted to recognize Gay not only becuase she was a woman dedicated to further education, but becuase she was a mature women in distress. She had given direction and guidence to countless women and children who faced a future of uncertainty. Gay was tireless in her support and attention given to women who had been batterd by their husbands. The Tahirih Association felt strongly that we should acknowledge such a deserving and admirable woman elder whose contribution to helping others had gone unrewarded for so long.

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2008 Tahirih Association scholarship recipients

Ranlena Walker 5th grade Bethesda Junior High School Montserrado County Northwestern Liberia	Mardea Walker 8th grade Bethesda Junior School Montserrado County Northwestern Liberia	Decontee Sellu 6th grade Mother of Jesus Christ School Margibi County Coast of Liberia	Agnes Tokpah 8th grade Trinity United Methodist Elem./Jr. High School Montserrado/Grand Kru County Northwestern Liberia	Janet Smith 8th grade Haywoods Mission Institute Montserrado County Northwestern Liberia

Dorcaus Quaye 12th grade Wells Hairston High School Montserrado/Grand Bassa County Northwestern Liberia	Patience Philips 7th grade Independent Bethlehem School Grand Gedeh County Eastern Liberia	Patience Beh 5th grade Baker C. Day School Grand Gedeh County Eastern Liberia	Susana Flomo 9th grade Levi H. Baptist High School Nimba County North-Central Liberia	Tomnell Clarke 11th grade William Foster Baha'i Academy Montserrado County Northwestern Liberia