Bold Empathy Scholarship

Funded by
$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 29, 2022
Winners Announced
Jun 29, 2022
Education Level
Any

“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy,” -Meryl Streep.

Being empathetic is a valuable trait and is an integral part of being a good person and being kind to those around you. You can always work on becoming more empathetic by treatting others with compassion and seeing things from their point of view.

This scholarship aims to motivate students to practice empathy and be compassionate to those around them.  

All students may apply for this exclusive scholarship opportunity. To apply, tell us how you prioritize treating others empathetically.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published February 28, 2022
Essay Topic

Please tell us how you make sure to treat others with empathy.

150–300 words

Winning Application

Jaliyah Brown
University of FloridaTampa, FL
When I was five years old, my great grandfather told me the words that have guided my life, “Treat others the way you would want to be treated.” We live in a world today where there seems to be an endless stream of heart-breaking events occurring and people are also dealing with their struggles. That is why it is so important to have empathy, it gives people hope that someone cares. I have committed to treating everyone with empathy and I do so through various actions. I treat everyone with empathy by always offering a helping hand to those around me and being there when they need me most. When my friends or family members are in a difficult situation, I express empathy by validating their feelings, sharing my experience with a similar situation, offering hugs, and listening to them. For instance, when my little sister passed, I stayed up with my mom for several nights and held her while telling her I understood that what we were going through was hard and that she could cry. Furthermore, whenever I see someone in distress, I am the first person that tries to help them. I take the time to put myself in their shoes to understand their feelings, be kind, and figure out the best way to help even if it is to simply listen to them free of judgment. I understand the effects of having empathy and it is the reason I am constantly trying to help others. Overall, I have committed myself to treat others with empathy by being kind and offering a listening ear. I believe everyone should practice empathy in their daily lives to move towards a supportive community.
Jozlyn Childs
Saginaw Valley State UniversitySaint Charles, MI
In July 2020, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She stopped working, and being home due to COVID allowed me to help care for her. We spent the next 11 months scared not only of Covid-19 but also of cancer. Our relationship faced new realities. She reviewed life insurance policies with me as I pulled her chemotherapy IV stand behind her to the bathroom at the Infusion Center. I shaved her head when the hair was falling off and we tried on wigs together. We laughed at the prosthetic breasts the insurance company sent her and wore them as hats at dinner. I watched my mom’s cues to determine my own responses and show her my love. Sometimes she preferred laughter while other times I had to read the room and know that it was time to let the tears flow. I think the best way to help others is to be self-aware and monitor their current needs at that moment. We can’t fix everything. Sometimes we just have to be present and display empathy. When I look back at the times I was able to most help my mom survive her diagnosis and treatment, I think displaying empathy was the most important. Someday when I am a doctor, I will be able to use this experience with empathy to help my patients as well.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 29, 2022. Winners will be announced on Jun 29, 2022.