Press Release

Zonta Club of Bowling Green Area Announces 2009 Zonta Scholarship Winner

Bowling Green, OH, June 2, 2009:  Zonta Club of Bowling Green Area announces the scholarship winners for 2009. Zonta Club of Bowling Green Area provides at least one scholarship, annually, to a woman age 25 years or older.  The award recipient must be a resident of Wood County, Ohio, show financial need, have earned a high school diploma or GED, and be eligible to enroll or already be enrolled in a post-secondary program of study.

The 2009 Zonta Club of Bowling Green Area Scholarship Recipient is Tammy Elling of Bowling Green, Ohio and Deborah Hendricks of Bowling Green, Ohio. Each of them were awarded $1250 to continue in the pursuit of their education at BGSU.

Tammy Elling, intends to  complete her Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling at BGSU in August 2009. She has completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees while juggling her role as a wife and mother to two children in addition to maintaining a full-time job. Tammy has worked at the Wood County Juvenile Probation department and Behavioral Connections. According to one of her references, “Tammy has devoted her adult career to working with women with multiple needs.” It is her desire to continue to address the needs of women with multiple needs, including substance abuse and to help them become more resilient. She hopes to organize an empowerment group for women and to publish her research on the debilitating effects of shame on women. She is active in her church and is proud to be part of the first generation in her family to earn a college degree.

 Deborah Hendricks is pursuing her degree in the Human Development and Family Studies Program at BGSU. She has been able to maintain a 4.0 average while supporting her family in a new community. As a single mother and student, she has been able to teach her children the importance of higher education. Her children have now set new goals so that they can also attend college. While balancing these responsibilities, she has also been involved in the Bowling Green Community, particularly with Global Connection. Her work with Global Connection has allowed her to assist migrant workers who suffered from a house fire and to help spouses of international students learn English and the customs of the United States.

Both scholarship winners represent the qualities that are supported by Zonta International. They are providing a positive role model for their daughters, they are promoting the advancement of women through their study and work and they are volunteering their time to affect the lives of many individuals. Their activities will enhance the status of women globally.

Zonta Club of Bowling Green Area is part of a larger, international organization known as Zonta International.  Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global service organization of executives in business and the professions working together, across political and social boundaries, to advance the status of women worldwide. Zonta International members volunteer their time, talents and money to local and international service programs, as well as scholarship and award programs aimed at furthering women's education, leadership and youth development.  More information about Zonta Club of Bowling Green Area and the application for the scholarship is available at www.bgzonta.org.

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