The Sojourner Truth Scholarship for Social Justice (Winter, 2009)
See below for application instructions
The Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue Committee invites all high school seniors who have been active in social justice efforts to submit an application for a scholarship of $500. A description of the program and some of the previous scholarship recipients appears on the reverse of this memo.
Student applicants are required to submit an essay of two or three typewritten pages telling about their social justice experience along with pertinent biographical information. The application cover sheet with instructions is below. The submission deadline is March 24, 2009. Questions may be directed to Carol Rinehart, Committee Chair, at 413-587-0743; she will direct them to the committee member best able to answer them.
Recipient(s) are asked to attend the annual Memorial Day Week-end celebration of the Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue in Florence on May 24. The student(s) will be asked to say a few words at the time they are presented their scholarship.
We are proud that residents of this region have a remarkable historical heritage of many who were deeply involved in the abolition of slavery and the support of women’s rights, most especially, Sojourner Truth. It is our goal and our privilege to recognize and encourage young people who carry this heritage forward.It is our goal and our privilege to recognize and encourage young people who carry this heritage forward.
The Sojourner Truth Scholarship for Social Justice
Seven graduating high school seniors in Amherst and Northampton have received scholarships from the Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue Committee for their commitment to social justice. After the nine-year effort to finance and erect the inspiring statue that stands at the corner of Pine and Park in Streets in Florence Center, the committee initiated the scholarship program 2005. Their goal is to ensure that Truth’s local legacy endures through the encouragement and recognition of new generations of courageous and committed voices for justice.
Students in the public high schools of Northampton, Amherst and Easthampton are invited to apply. The application process involves writing an essay describing the significance of activism in their lives.
Recipients to date include: Amy Kane (Northampton), Marlena Fontes (Amherst), Yamila Irizarry-Gerould (Northampton), Benjamin Hart (Amherst), David Poritz (Amherst), Matteo Ramos-Mucci (Amherst), and Remy Fernandez O’Brien (Amherst).
The Scholarship Recipients Speak
“For me, community service is not just a temporary way to enrich my community and give myself a sense of accomplishment; it is the way
I wish to live my life.”
(Marlena Fontes)
Speaking about a march in Washington against the invasion of Iraq: “Despite that day’s frigid weather, peace and unity reigned in the air. That was the first day social equality really penetrated my everyday life.”
(Yamilla Irizarry-Gerould)
” To be a part of Project 2050 has been crucial to my understanding of myself, but also to my understanding of the community I am a member of, and what real positive change looks like. This kind of activism has taught me the power of expression to overcome supposed differences in order to find the real underlying meaning that connects all of us together.”
(Benjamin Hart)
“Over the years, this experience [of organizing and distributing 12,500 pairs of shoes to children of Ecuador and establishing an NGO, Esperanza International, Inc.] has changed my values, attitudes and global perspective. My commitment now lies towards altruistic endeavors that benefit the exploited and vulnerable.” (David Poritz)
Sojourner Truth Scholarship for Social Justice
Application Cover Sheet
Instructions
Please write an essay of two or three typewritten pages telling about your experience working for social justice. Discuss how you chose the projects you were involved in and how you felt about the experiences afterward.
Also briefly share any other biographical information that you feel pertains to your work for social justice.
Application Deadline: March 24
Note:
Finalists will be asked to meet briefly with a few members of our committee, probably at our April meeting April 27, 7 p.m.
Scholarship awards are announced at the annual commemoration on Sunday, May 24, 2- 4 p.m. in the Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue Park in Florence.
Name _____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
Phone ___________________ E-Mail ________________________________
Please submit your application to:
Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue Committee
P.O. Box 60405
Florence, MA 01062
Questions may be directed to Committee Chair, Carol Rinehart, 413-587-0743 or e-mail renick.rinehart@comcast.net. She will direct them to the committee best able to address them.