Women Inspired Network celebrates its fifth year with new scholarship

As the Women Inspired Network launches into its fifth year, all women are invited to attend the 2021 network kick-off on Tuesday, April 13.

The gathering begins at 5:30 p.m. at Star Union Spirits in the Westclox Building in Peru, and includes dinner, beverage and dessert, with cocktails available for purchase. The program features the WIN 2020 grant recipients; financial update; plans for the current year and a presentation on women’s mental health by Danielle Stoddard, LCPC. Reservations and pre-payment of $17 are required and can be made at www.srccf.org. Masks and required social distancing will be mandatory.

One of the highlights of the gathering will be the announcement of the new Women Inspired Network Scholarship. WIN created the scholarship to help young women pursue their dreams and goals through leadership and higher education. Young women graduating from high school in 2021, recent high school graduates, home-schooled students with graduation status and young women who have earned a GED with a score of 750 and higher are welcome to apply.

The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with established criteria, answers to two defined essay questions and an additional essay of the applicant’s choosing that tells us what else the scholarship evaluation team should know about her. Applicants will also need two letters of recommendation from educators or employers who can attest to her worthiness as a recipient of the WIN Scholarship. The application and instructions for completion can be found at SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION | SRCCF | STARVED ROCK COUNTRY. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 23.

The Women Inspired Network welcomes all area women to attend the April 13 gathering to learn more about the WIN organization. Membership is not required. WIN members and other generous donors have contributed more than $80,000 in four years to make grants to local organizations, provide operating support and establish the Women Inspired Network Endowment Fund to provide a sustainable source of revenue to support women and children throughout Starved Rock Country in perpetuity. Members of the Steering Committee include Chairman Beth Acuncius, Granville; Grants Committee Chairman Cathryn Steele, Ottawa; Brenda Bickerman, McNabb; Debbie Buffington, Hennepin; Carol Kuzmich, Ottawa; Cathy Rosen, Utica; Trisha Schafer, Princeton; Pastor Kris Zierke, Seneca; Pamela Beckett, Ottawa; and WIN Liaison to the SRCCF, Tara Bedei.

The Women Inspired Network is a component fund of the Starved rock Country Community Foundation. The Foundation partners with generous donors to assist community agencies who support basic human needs, disability services, education, veterans, seniors, healthcare, childcare, the arts, the environment, tourism, economic development, conservation, beautification and the needs and particular challenges of the community at-large. More information can be found at www.srccf.org or by calling 815-252-2906.