Defying the Odds Women's Scholarship Fund

This scholarship will support women who were raised in a culture of gender essentialism. In this culture, they were taught from the time they were young children that it was inappropriate for women to aspire to be anything other than a wife and mother. Some married young and started families young, giving up career and educational opportunities in order to obey church teachings of male headship and female submission. Now, many of those same women are in vulnerable positions due to spousal abuse, infidelity, or death. They may be pursuing education while supporting families and working through trauma. The Defying the Odds Women's Scholarship will offer educational assistance to women who sacrificed career and education for religious reasons and were left vulnerable as a result. Women over the age of 30 are eligible to apply if they are pursuing their undergraduate degree. To apply, write about how your religion’s teachings surrounding gender roles have affected your circumstances.