 |
|
BVM Scholarships Enable Education
for Women with few Financial Resources by Margaret A. McGinn, BVM |
|
The Mary Frances Clarke Scholarship The Mary Griffin Scholarship Designated contributions may be made to these scholarship funds.
|
Nowhere was the Vatican Council's call to renewal in the church met with more enthusiasm than in religious congregations of women. Constitutions were updated, mission statements written, long-range plans discussed, all including a commitment to the needs of the poor and equality for women in both church and society. In 1988, as one outgrowth of these priorities, the BVM community set aside approximately $20,000 per year from endowment interest to be distributed as small scholarships. By 1991 the title had morphed from the ponderous Minority/Poor Women Education Fund to the honorific Mary Frances Clarke Scholarship. Later, funds from the estate of Mary Griffin, a former BVM and noted educator, were designated to assist in the pursuit of post-secondary education. Since that time, women, recommended by a BVM friend or coworker, have requested these funds to study fields as diverse as secretarial skills or theology degrees. Mississippi
One of the first grant recipients was Mildred Cooper Hoover, a music teacher at Christ the King School in Jackson, Miss., when Janita Curoe, BVM, was principal. A recent widow, Mrs. Hoover hoped to complete her training in early childhood education. Through this scholarship, she received her license and established an early childhood center in her home where she has worked with 3-5-year-olds for over 15 years. Besides grounding the youngsters in the skills needed to survive and compete in today's society, she also emphasizes music, art and public speaking. Her school is known for producing high achieving children with self-confidence beyond their years. The Mary Frances Clarke scholarship enabled Mildred to develop her own self-esteem, and her goal is to transmit this quality to her students. Chicago
Georgina Roy is now an assistant director at Anawim, an interfaith spiritual center for Native Americans in Chicago 's Uptown, where she met Rosemary Meyer, BVM (Sebastian). Rosemary helped her apply for a scholarship for classes at Eastern Illinois University, and recently, her sister Dorothy also received a grant. Both sisters are working toward degrees at Eastern at its urban campus at the Native American Education Services, not far from Anawim. Their degrees will qualify them to work in community services. In fact, they are already contributing to the community. Both Georgina and Dorothy, certified native language instructors, have been teaching the Ojibwa language at NAES. Georgina considers Ojibwa a difficult language because so many feelings can be expressed by one verb. The language was ignored in the reservation schools, so many Ojibwa cannot speak or write it. Georgina hopes to continue her own education beyond college level. Kate Keating, BVM (St. Wilma), another volunteer at Anawim, is helping her learn budgeting and, through a partnership with Chicago Theological Union, she has already taken a course in pastoral studies. She regrets that so few Ojibwa have had these opportunities and is grateful for the chance to share with them by teaching the language and by working at Anawim. One senses that further education will provide even more options for Georgina to work with the Native American community. Kenya
When BVM Mary Ellen McDonagh was on a sabbatical at Sophia Center in Oakland, Calif., she met religious women from many parts of the world. One of these was an Assumption Sister who had come from Kenya to the program at Holy Names University. After the sabbatical, Maria Felix Mwikali, ASN, continued to Berkeley to update her theology. But permission to study did not include the necessary funds, and she found herself unable to finish. Recalling her friend, she contacted Mary Ellen who realized that she qualified for a Mary Griffin scholarship. She has since returned to Kenya where she works at St. Mary's Education Centre, a school for orphans and street children of Nairobi. Many of the women and children in the area are HIV positive, and caring for their emotional wounds is as crucial as the education offered. Maria Felix feels that her courses prepared her for this ministry, and a chance BVM contact enriched her life and that of others. Iowa In Dubuque, religious communities have a long history of working together for social justice. When the Dubuque City Council recognized the need for emergency housing for women and children, it was natural to turn to these congregations, each with a mission dedicated to women and children. This collaboration resulted in Opening Doors, a nonprofit charitable corporation with a member of each religious community serving on the board. A downtown convent was renovated to become Maria House, offering hospitality to women and children for up to two years. One of the first residents was Cathy Kelley, a mother of three. The BVM board member, Sue Rink (Michaela), helped her apply for a Mary Frances Clarke Scholarship to begin classes at Northeast Iowa Community College. When her teenage daughter finished high school, she also received a scholarship to attend NICC. Cathy now has completed an associate's degree in criminal justice, has a full-time position at an area residential care facility, works part-time at Teresa Shelter for homeless women and children, and volunteers at the local police department. Last fall, beyond her wildest dreams, she received a home loan and moved to her own house in December. She credits the MFC grant with giving her the start which has opened so many doors. With falling numbers and dwindling resources, it is unlikely that the BVM community can continue the scholarship program to this extent. But the legacy lives on. From Missouri to Montana, in Duluth or Guatemala, women have garnered the education needed to go forth themselves to enhance the lives of others. The spirit of Mary Frances Clarke has made this possible. About the author: Margaret McGinn, BVM (Daniel Anne) is an adjunct faculty member at Truman College, Chicago, and a member of the Communications Advisory Committee. Return
to Table of Contents |
