First Lady Anita Perry Announces New Scholarship Program During Baylor Visit
Texas First Lady Anita Perry announced a new scholarship program made possible by the Texas Conference for Women (TCW) during her June 16 visit to Baylor University. The wife of Gov. Rick Perry, accompanied by Baylor First Lady Sue Sloan, was in Waco to meet with more than 40 Central Texas women who serve on the TCW steering committee.
The $5,000 scholarships, co-sponsored by State Farm Bank, will help partially fund the academic pursuits of young women striving towards professional excellence in the fields of business, education, health care and math, science and technology. Four scholarships will be presented at the conference, which will be held Oct. 1 at the Austin Convention Center.
"It is our hope that by giving financial assistance to the recipients, the Texas Conference for Women will be taking another important step in fulfilling our mission to help women break barriers and achieve their maximum potential," Mrs. Perry said.
Mrs. Sloan welcomed the Texas First Lady to Baylor before both met with the media in the Kronzer Great Hall in the Hughes-Dillard Alumni Center.
"We are thrilled that you've chosen this location to make such an important announcement regarding the TCW scholarship program," Mrs. Sloan said. "We in academia can certainly appreciate a new initiative to help young women achieve their educational and professional goals."
The Texas Conference for Women is an annual event sponsored by the Governor and First Lady of Texas aimed at providing Texans with educational and inspirational seminars led by women at the top of the fields from across the country. Since its inception in 2000, the Texas Conference for Women has evolved in size and scope, growing to more than 4,000 participants last year.
The Texas Conference for Women has speakers and seminars that appeal to participants of all ages, but the "Young Women's Track," designed to engage teenagers and young adults with contemporary issues, is consistently among the most popular.
Young women today have more opportunities than ever, particularly in the rapidly evolving technology sector where math and science skills are essential. Still, according to the National Science Foundation, while women represent 46 percent of the overall workforce, they represent only 25 percent of the technology workforce. The Governor's Office and the Texas Conference for Women hope to increase the presence of women in up-and-coming fields by providing year-round support to young women pursuing their individual academic goals.
"By recognizing and supporting the academic achievements of young women, the Texas Conference for Women is ensuring that future generations have the skills they need to take a leading role in fields such as technology," Mrs. Perry said. "And regardless of the field they choose, academic achievement leads to greater economic security and a better quality of life for the young women of Texas - something all Texans stand to benefit from."
For more information on the scholarship program as well as the fourth annual Texas Conference for Women, visit www.TXConferenceforWomen.org.