Mentoring young women, building tomorrow’s leaders

Recognizing and empowering young women in the Greater Rochester area who aspire to become our future leaders has been one of the Women’s Council’s longstanding missions. In an effort to promote these young women of promise, the Women’s Council introduced the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Award in 2000. Embodying the philosophical principles of the Athena Award, the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Award recognizes female high school seniors who excel in academics, leadership and community service.

Sponsors of the program foster the recipients’ passion to become successful leaders by contributing to monetary scholarships, which are awarded to recipients in schools in each of the following categories: Rochester City, Suburban West, Suburban East and Regional. Some sponsors also provide opportunities within their own businesses and organizations for the recipients and finalists to participate in paid internship programs. Since 2000, the Women’s Council has awarded more than $54,000 in scholarships to over 50 deserving young women. 

The Women’s Council is grateful for the continued generosity of our program sponsors and, in particular, for the support of past Athena Award recipients whose annual collective contribution sustains the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Award program.

As one of the two signature events that the Women’s Council sponsors each year, the organization is committed to enhancing the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Award program by extending our reach to recognize more young women seeking to become our future leaders. For that reason, five dollars from the sale of every ticket to the Athena Award luncheon is donated to the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Award program. Businesses, organizations, and individuals in Greater Rochester are encouraged to consider becoming involved in the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Award program or broadening their participation by providing scholarship or internship opportunities. Keeping bright, ambitious young women engaged and committed to staying or returning to our area is critical to the future success of Rochester-area businesses.

For more information about how you, your company or organization can become involved, contact Susan George at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce by phone at (585) 256-4644 or by email at [email protected].

1/13/2017 (c) 2017 Rochester Business Journal. To obtain permission to reprint this article, call 585-546-8303 or email [email protected].