2010 Scholarships Press/Announcements

Women's Economic Council Foundation Offers Scholarships

NASHVILLE, TN - Six women will be awarded scholarships of $1,000-$2,000 at this year's Economic Summit for Women, Representative Janis Sontany, Chair of the Women's Economic Council Foundation and the Tennessee Economic Council on Women, announced. Tennessee First Lady, Andrea Conte, will present the scholarships.

The summit will be at the Franklin Marriott at Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee, October 17-18, 2010. The scholarships will be awarded on October 18.

"Research continues to prove that by continuing their education, women increase their earnings potential," said Sontany. "The foundation is pleased to offer these scholarships to women and girls who are committed to improving their economic independence."

Three scholarships will be awarded to graduating senior high school girls and three will be awarded to non-traditional students. In addition to academic achievement and financial need, the foundation will consider leadership and participation in community activities in selecting the recipients. Applications for the scholarships must be received by September 13, 2010.

"The value of a degree in today's economy cannot be overstated," said Patricia Pierce, chair of the summit's scholarship committee. "Only 22 percent of Tennessee's women have earned a four-year college degree, which ranks Tennessee 41st in the nation. We can and should do better, and the foundation's scholarship program will help women who seek to change those statistics."

The Economic Summit for Women provides women from across the state information to improve their personal and professional lives and the opportunity to network with others from a variety of backgrounds and careers. This year's program will include popular political analyst and commentator Dee Dee Myers, who formerly served as White House press secretary during President Clinton's first term and is currently a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a popular lecturer on politics, the media and women's issues.

Joining Myers on the program is Laura Liswood, secretary general for the Council of Women World Leaders.