Woman, interrupted? Minerva may have a scholarship for you

A Gig Harbor women’s organization is once again offering mid-career scholarships to women who have had their education interrupted by economic hardship or other circumstances.

The Minerva Scholarships — named for the Greek goddess of wisdom — were established 25 years ago by three Gig Harbor professional women. Applications are being accepted now for scholarships to be awarded for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Minerva scholarships may be used to complete a vocational program, a two-year degree from a community college, a four-year college or university degree, or a graduate-level program. Students may attend school full time or part time, as long as they are enrolled and attending an accredited educational institution.

To be eligible for a scholarship, a woman must live or work within the Peninsula School District, have previously experienced at least a one-year interruption in her education, demonstrate financial need, and provide a plan for completion of her educational goals.

For the first time, “we have extended our criteria to include women who may not live in Gig Harbor, but who work in our town,” said co-chair Elizabeth Robinson.

Applications, instructions and frequently asked questions for the 2020-21 school year are available online now at minervagigharbor.org. Completed applications with transcripts and recommendations are due by April 15.

The Minerva fund was created in 1991 by three accomplished Gig Harbor women: Col. Sybil Mercer, an Army nurse and hospital administrator, Dr. Florence Casey, an economist with the federal government, and Ruth Taylor, a local school librarian.

All were members of the Gig Harbor Branch of the American Association of University Women.

When Mercer inherited $5,000 from an uncle, her two friends agreed to chip in similar amounts if their AAUW colleagues would match the total. They did, and the fund was born.

Since its founding, the fund has dispersed $337,000 to 182 women.

For more information about Minerva, including how to donate and how to start your own named scholarship fund, email minervagigharbor@gmail.com.

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 12:00 AM.