Gwendolyn M. Sanders Memorial Scholarship

The Power of Why Why- an adverb, a conjunction, or a noun- is getting to the understanding of the intent behind a situation. Why is more than just a word, it is what pushes us, motivates others, helps to explain circumstances, and so much more.  The journey to understanding my own why has been a collection of skills that have brought me closer to my destination. In each period, I have gained a unique set of ideas, knowledge, skills, understanding, and confidence. At times, I thought I was being distracted or on a detour, but all along, I was being molded into someone who loves helping people get back to a healthy state of being.  As the eldest daughter in my family and a lifelong athlete, the roles of helper and leader have always come naturally to me. The most powerful tool a person can have is knowledge. As a coach, I learned that you cannot tell an athlete to perform a specific skill; you have to demonstrate it, explain the mechanics, and help them build the confidence to perform and execute it. In nursing, the stakes are higher, but the same principle applies. Education leads to empowerment. I grew up in a household where balance was a constant presence, but I also saw how chronic conditions can turn into a life-altering barrier. My mother understood the importance of a balanced meal, and my father stayed consistent with physical activity. While understanding the basic concepts, I watched family members struggle with chronic conditions because of a lack of knowledge. Seeing this inspired me to become a health coach. Soon, I realized the lack of knowledge I had about the gap between holistic wellness and the medical system. I needed clinical expertise, that of a nurse, because they still look at the patient as a whole being, not just as their disease. To truly advocate for others, I need to understand the body from the inside out. Pursuing a degree in nursing has allowed me to connect the dots between what the body is doing and why it functions the way it does. My goal is to help educate patients in a way they can understand, and to help them regain their vitality by knowing they can meet their goals. By helping patients understand their why and/or mission, it can foster accountability and consistency for long-term health. I believe that when others are educated and empowered, it affects their mental and physical health, creating a domino effect that benefits everything else. I will be right at their bedside helping them set goals, implement interventions, and achieve outcomes to help them start their journey back to better health.

My name is Savannah Fulton. I am a first-year sophomore at North Carolina A&T, majoring in pre-nursing and minoring in psychology. I am from Windsor, CT, and I am dedicated and passionate about my mission. I’m driven by a commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved communities. As a pre-nursing student, I have developed a strong academic foundation, earning a spot on the chancellor’s list in my first semester, while actively seeking opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. My desire to pursue a career in nursing is rooted in both my personal values and my lived experiences. Growing up, I’ve witnessed how access to quality healthcare can shape outcomes for certain individuals and families. Specifically, when I was in middle school, my older sister fell terribly ill. She had gone to her physician multiple times expressing this pain, but they dismissed her every time. It wasn’t until she was admitted to the hospital with severe pain in her abdomen and was throwing up blood that they decided to take her seriously. She had an infection in her uterus, which led her to develop sepsis. Had doctors taken her seriously the first time, they would've discovered the infection and treated it properly—but instead, my sister is left with lifetime disabilities to her extremities, and she will never be able to bear children. In high school, I completed a social justice project on maternal mortality in African American Women, which I plan to use as a foundation to build my organization. This project was inspired by my sister's story. Although she was blessed to make it out alive, there are countless Black women whose stories were cut too short. Conversations that I had with my community often highlighted concerns about being unheard or overlooked in medical settings, particularly among Black women. These experiences were eye-opening and showed the importance of having culturally competent care. I realized that early on that I wanted to be part of the solution. I want to be someone who not only provides medical care but also advocates for patients, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. Although I am in my first year of school, I intend to start campus initiatives and give back to my community, whether at home or at school, to fuel my passion and serve. My organization will focus on improving health outcomes in underserved communities, especially among black women, when it comes to reproductive health. In addition to these influences, I have always been drawn to service. Whether through school organizations, community involvement, or leadership opportunities, I’ve always known that putting myself and my mission out there was the right thing to do. Through my medical career, I will have a positive impact by addressing healthcare inequities, particularly in maternal and reproductive health. The United States continues to face a maternal mortality crisis, with Black women being the target of higher rates of complications and death during pregnancy and childbirth. My goal is to leverage my education and future leadership roles to influence policy and drive systemic change. Whether working in clinics, hospitals, or advanced practice, I am dedicated to advocating for the unheard and improving healthcare outcomes. By combining my passion for healthcare and advocacy, I strive to create meaningful change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

The man on the corner near my bus stop talked to himself every day, his words lost in the noise of the city, his struggles unnoticed by most. Watching him as a child, I just thought he was a regular drug addict in Baltimore. Now that I can look back I realize how different his life might have been if he had received the care he needed earlier. That question has stayed with me, shaping not only how I see the world, but also who I hope to become. My name is Khamani Dyson, and I am a nursing major committed to serving communities that are often overlooked and underserved. My passion for healthcare began when my parents separated and I moved to Baltimore, Maryland to live with my father. We lived in an area where crime rates and drug use were high, and access to healthcare was limited. In that environment, I witnessed firsthand how easily people can go without proper treatment and not because they don’t need help, but because they cannot access it. Seeing individuals struggle without support made me realize that healthcare is not equally available to everyone, and that realization deeply impacted me. My desire to pursue nursing grew stronger during my sophomore year of high school when I began working in the food department at a hospital. Although I was not directly involved in patient care, my role allowed me to interact with patients daily. I took their orders, delivered meals, and listened to their stories. I learned about their fears, their frustrations, and the emotional toll that illness takes on individuals and their families. I also saw how financial barriers prevented some patients from continuing treatment, forcing them to choose between their health and their finances. At first, these situations felt familiar because they reflected what I had seen growing up. However, everything became more personal when someone in my own family faced similar challenges. Watching my family work harder to afford care made me understand the true weight of these struggles. It taught me to never take health or access to care for granted, and it solidified my commitment to making a difference. These experiences have inspired my goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. I want to do more than just work in healthcare; I want to improve it. I plan to open a practice that serves underprivileged communities, where patients are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect regardless of their financial situation. I want to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Through my medical career, I hope to advocate for those who often go unnoticed and ensure that more individuals receive the care they deserve. The man on the corner was one of the first people who opened my eyes to this reality, but he will not be the last person whose story inspires me to act.

Hello! My name is Leah Guilford, and my dream is to become a neonatal nurse, caring for babies as they take their first breaths in this world. From a young age, I have been drawn to the idea of nurturing and supporting others, and I believe that every newborn deserves the best possible start in life, one filled with compassion, care, and expert medical attention. This passion has only grown stronger as I have gotten older and gained a deeper understanding of the impact healthcare providers can have during life’s most critical moments. As a neonatal nurse, I will have the opportunity to be there for the most vulnerable patients and their families, offering not only medical assistance but also emotional support during what can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. I want to be a calming presence for parents, someone they can trust to care for their child while also reassuring them during uncertain times. I understand that this role requires patience, strength, and dedication, and I am fully prepared to give my all to this profession. I want to become a transformational nurse, someone who makes a positive impact wherever I go, not just through clinical skills but through kindness, empathy, and advocacy. I strongly believe that the best nurses are those who truly care about their patients, regardless of their background, circumstances, or challenges. My nurturing nature and genuine concern for others make me confident that I can be that person. I also know that healthcare is a team effort, and I thrive in collaborative environments. Being able to communicate effectively, problem solve under pressure, and stay composed in high stress situations are all qualities I bring to the table. These strengths will help me contribute to a strong healthcare team focused on providing the best outcomes for patients. Beyond becoming a neonatal nurse, I plan to continue growing in my field until I reach my ultimate goal of becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. In this role, I will be able to take on greater responsibility, mentor others, and help improve the quality of care for newborns. I am especially passionate about advocating for infants who require intensive care and ensuring that their families feel supported every step of the way. I am excited for the journey ahead, and I am committed to making a meaningful difference. Nursing is more than a career to me, it is truly my calling.

I am the definition of the American Dream. I overcame multiple challenges, while maintaining a 4.0+ GPA in high school and being accepted into North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Why am I the American Dream? I was born with a congenital birth condition called Hemifacial Microtia. This condition only occurs in about 1 in 5,000 to 7,000 births per year. There are three main components to the condition: (1) asymmetrical facial and head features; (2) missing or smaller than usual external ears and (3) hearing loss in the ears affected. To date, I have had a total of (11) surgeries that include reconstructive surgeries on both ears. These surgeries included removal of rib cartilage to reconstruct my ears and skin grafts removed from my rear. I also have severe bilateral hearing loss, so I’ve worn hearing aids since I was an infant. In spite of my situation, I maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, while taking multiple rigorous courses (AP, dual enrollment, and gifted classes). My parents never prevented me from trying new things and maintaining high expectations of me. I excelled in school, receiving straight A’s during elementary school and high school (including dual enrollment college classes). I was ranked #60 of 738 graduating high school senior students. To date, I’ve earned a cumulative 3.95 GPA while at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. Most recently, I earned a 4.0 GPA for the Fall 2024 semester. I hope that my success reflects the type of student you deem worthy of this scholarship. I also hope that the challenges I have faced and overcame also reflect my strong character and determination. I’ve overcome a number of challenges and I refuse to give up; I will succeed. I’ve provided community service in various ways since the 1st grade. I served my immediate community in many ways as a Girl Scout (2010-2018), as a Grayson High School Student Ambassador ( 2019-2023), and volunteering at the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry (2022-2023). I’ve participated in numerous community events such as Food for the Poor (preparing meals), volunteering at our local Senior Citizen Community Center - making crafts, dancing, and interacting with our local senior citizens. I’ve continued my community service involvement while in college. I volunteered with the “Cross the Street '' program (2023-2024); twice a week I tutored local elementary school students in both math and reading. Currently, I am volunteering with Reading Connections (Readingconnections.org), which is a nonprofit adult literacy agency to improve basic literacy skills, self-esteem, community service, and leadership skills among adult readers who live or work in Guilford County, NC. With my nursing degree, I plan to pursue a career as a Pediatric Surgical Nurse. I’ve always known I wanted to use my surgical experiences and my love for math/science in a career that would help others. I found the surgical nurse to be the most assuring and comforting person at the hospitals. During each of my surgeries, the surgical nurse was always the last person I remember seeing after being sedated, and the first person I saw when I woke up. This gave me a feeling of security during my surgeries. Given those interactions with nurses, I decided that I wanted to be able to do the same thing for children in similar situations. My goal is to work at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, where I had the majority of my surgeries. Thank you for allowing me to apply for the Gwendolyn M. Sanders Scholarship. I truly appreciate this opportunity. Please contact me if you require additional information.

Mothers are essential to little girls' lives, as everyone would say. They are known for their nurturing spirit and caring heart. Though I believed they were necessary, I never knew how essential a mother was until I lost my own. My mother passed away when I was 8 years old, due to Short Bowel Syndrome. Before my mother got sick, she was the most productive woman I had ever known with a heart strictly for the people. I watched my mother endure a lot after her sickness arose; she grew to be less active and forced to be bedridden. Due to her circumstances, my family hired many in-home nurses. This was certainly an adjustment for me, not just seeing my mother in an unusual state but watching my home turn into a hospital. Though my mother was sickly for a while, her hope and strength for longevity would ignite because of her nurses. The point at which my nursing dream arose, was when I saw my mother make the most out of her situation. She would become close friends with her nurses, laugh more, and resume normal activity. My mother chose to be happy and make the most out of her circumstances, all because of the care she experienced. Being exposed to this when I was young allowed me to realize nurses' impact on their patients. The nurses who cared for my mother knew her condition, but they helped her to see that her identity was not found in her sickness. I quickly learned that my dream is to instill hope, courage, and care among sick people. I plan to study nursing in college and excel in the workplace afterward. My personal career goal that I have as a nurse is to be like the amazing set of nurses who helped my mom regain her spark. I have aspirations of receiving a nursing pin, excellence award, and DAISY award. I plan to do this by using my childhood experiences with nurses as my motivating force. I am committed to using my abilities to better the health of my community and promote kindness. I will be confident, courageous, and compassionate as a nurse. I want to stand out in my career and demonstrate what it means to be a healthcare provider, which is not only physical but mental as well. In the workplace, I want to be a role model for others with my approach to the career. I am determined to comfort, care, and exhibit a character that is appreciated by all. In conclusion, I have learned many valuable things about the nursing career throughout my journey; I believe it is my calling to partake in the respected profession. I have taken steps to practice by interning at my local, Wesley Long Hospital, with a total of 32 hours. Although I lost my mother, her heart and productivity live within me. I am excited to showcase that to my community while earning the privilege of wearing a registered nurse badge.

I'm Nyla Bailey, a first-year student majoring in health science and minoring in psychology at Spelman College. The capacity for resilience, careful planning, and a strong desire to help others have shaped my journey to this point. Being raised in a low-income household where my father puts forth a lot of effort to support us, I've learned the importance of patience and giving back. Unfortunately, I do not qualify for FAFSA, which has made it quite difficult for me to pay for my education. Considering this, I am focused on my academics because I understand that my time at Spelman is an investment in myself and the lives I want to change by becoming a nurse. My desire to help people and my own experiences are the main reasons for my passion for nursing. I saw firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic how important healthcare providers are to families' and communities' health. In addition to raising attention to the nursing shortage, the pandemic highlighted discrepancies in healthcare access, especially for communities that are marginalized. This inspired me to become a family nurse practitioner so that I could help needy families with compassionate, comprehensive care. Throughout high school, I was able to balance my academic responsibilities, provide financial support for my family, and play soccer—a sport I've loved for 14 years. Playing as a midfielder taught me the value of cooperation, perseverance, and flexibility—skills I use to every aspect of my life. Soccer taught me how to manage stress, maintain focus, and connect with others to achieve a goal—skills that are important in the medical industry. I'm learning more about the health disadvantages that underprivileged communities face while gaining a solid grounding in the sciences at Spelman. By advocating policies that increase access to healthcare and providing treatment that is culturally appropriate, I hope to overcome such disparities. Regardless of their background, I want to make sure that families can get the help they require to be successful. There have been difficulties along the way, but I view each one as a chance to improve. My goal in becoming a family nurse practitioner is to offer my community a wide range of services that promote long-term health and well-being rather than just treating illnesses. I've learned at Spelman how important it is to employ education to affect change in the world, and I am fully dedicated to doing just that in my medical career. My goal extends beyond providing care; I aim to motivate and inspire others through my journey. Having grown up in a household that faced financial difficulties, I understand how challenging life can be without proper support. By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others—especially young Black women—to pursue their dreams despite the obstacles they encounter. Through hard work, dedication, and giving back to my community, I want to show that it is possible to overcome adversity and create meaningful change. I believe that by being committed and compassionate, I can help close the healthcare gap while encouraging others to follow my example.