It’s amazing how quickly time goes by! We will try to update this site on a more regular basis!
For more than 60 years, FWIO has presented the Ontario Women’s Institutes Scholarship to a student at the U of Guelph. This year’s winner was Shirley Walsh, a 22-year-old in her fourth year of the Applied Human Nutrition Program. Originally from Toronto, Shirley has a passion for food, loves kids and is devoted to her friends. In addition to her studies, she is involved with an international development club on campus and volunteers with a Brownies group in the community. WOW!! Talk about busy…in fact, she reminds me of so many WI Members, I hope someone is going to recruit her for their Branch!
Shirley says, although she didn’t know much about the WI before receiving her award, she is surprised by all the work we do in the community. She says “learning about international development has reinforced to me the idea that empowering and educating women is necessary to improve the quality of life in communities and nations. The same is true here at home”.
I remember when I was going to school that very few people applied for scholarships. I can still remember the student representative coming to talk to us and saying that each year a large number of grants and scholarships were not distributed because people just weren’t applying. I don’t know what it is like today, but I hope everyone is taking advantage of all the opportunities that are out there. Which leads me to the following…here is some great information on Scholarships and Awards that are currently offered by FWIO. Be sure to pass this information along to anyone you think would be interested!
The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) offers several types of scholarships.
Post Secondary
Regional Scholarships – 4 Regions – to encourage 4-H members to further their education
Southern Region: Dorothy Futcher Scholarship
Northern Region: Florence P Eadie Scholarship
Eastern Region: Sixtieth Anniversary Scholarship
Western Region: Hoodless-Lee Scholarship
Applications: Available through local District WI contact.
Undergraduate
Ontario Women’s Institute Scholarships – to assist students studying at University of Guelph, of Social and Applied Human Science
Applications: Available through University of Guelph – Assistant Registrar
Post Graduate
Helen McKercher Scholarship – to assist students to pursue a post-graduate degree in Family and Consumer studies, Home Economics or in related program
Applications: Available by contacting the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario – Provincial Office
Further Education
FWIO Ninetieth Anniversary Awards – to assist women who seek self-improvement and pursue enrichment through the education system
Applications: Available through Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario – Provincial Office
Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award – open to all women currently or previously involved in agriculture at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Nomination Package: Available by contacting the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario – Provincial Office
Eligibility and Conditions for all scholarships and awards can be found online here.
