|
Audre Lorde Scholarship
Fund
|
The Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund Awards are
designed to recognize out* lesbians of
African descent who are making significant contributions to
their communities. ZAMI, Inc., Atlanta's Premiere African-American
Lesbian Organization and Official Sponsor of The Audre Lorde
Scholarship Fund wants to support and encourage their continuing
education by providing scholarships to those women enrolled
in accredited technical, undergraduate and graduate programs.
In 2002, we are also recognizing an outstanding out*
gay male scholar of African descent. Since 1997, ZAMI has
awarded 22 scholarships.
The Tony Daniels Community Ally Award is
awarded to a male student who otherwise meets all the criteria
of the Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund. In particular, this scholarship
is intended for a brother who works to build bridges between
communities. (Preference will be given to a man who does significant
work in women's communities.)
*Out is defined here as an
acknowledgement of lesbian/ gay identify to self, and or to
family, friends, and community.
ELIGIBILITY
- An out lesbian/ gay man
of African descent who is a graduating high school senior
or currently attending any technical, undergraduate or graduate
school located in the United States.
- Accepted or registered at
a post-secondary educational institution for full or part-time
attendance as defined by the institution
- Cumulative high school/college/or
technical school grade point average of 2.5 or higher
- Lesbians/Gay men 40 years
plus are strongly encouraged to apply
REQUIREMENTS
- Submit official/unofficial
up- to- date academic transcript (s). You may send transcripts
only from your most recent school(s) , provided two semesters
of study are included.
- Acceptance letter if you
are an entering freshman
- Completed Audre Lorde scholarship
application form
- A two-three page typed statement
of purpose
- Two letters of recommendations
from a teacher, mentor, employer or activist/organizer in
the lesbian/gay community
- A photo (head shot) any
size, black/ white or color, which may be used at the announcement
of the award
AWARDS
Scholarship Amount ----- $1000
NAMED AWARDS
The Mary Anne Adams Award: A
longtime community organizer and activist, Adams serves as
ZAMI's Executive Director and is the founder of the Audre
Lorde Scholarship Fund. In 1999, she founded Sister Outsider,
a multi-cultured Atlanta based organization, with a focus
on lesbians and aging issues. Adams is also the founder/moderator
of Sister Outsider II, an internet list for black lesbians
35 plus and AtlZAMI, a national list serve that provides a
space for all lesbians. Adams recently received an MSW from
Georgia State University.
The Kelley D. Alexander Award: Alexander,
a poet and writer is the founder of InnerLight Publishing,
whose mission is to take on sublime projects that move, encourage,
and inspire by way of a unique ability to bring inner-visions
into physical form. The company publishes works by both emerging
and previously published authors and recently published a
collection of essays by author Carol Gee entitled "The Venus
Chronicles." Alexander, a native of Beloit, Wisconsin studied
English Literature and Philosophy at Beloit College and makes
her living in management for a telecommunications firm.
The Edith E. Biggers Award: Biggers is
a public health physician who has made it her life's work
to save lives by taking care of persons living with HIV and
AIDS. Since 1993, she has been a frequent voice on the speaker's
circuit advocating that access to anti retroviral medications
for all patients is a social justice issue. Biggers received
her medical degree from Emory and volunteers for ZAMI, AIDS
Survival Project and Sistagraphy.
The Sheryl Burke Award: Burke
is a personal injury attorney based in Atlanta and California.
Burke is a graduate of St Louis University Law School and
a member of the National and Georgia Trial Lawyers' Association.
Burke is involved in supporting many Atlanta area organizations
including camps, scholarship funds, churches and educational
groups. ZAMI will award 2 scholarships funded by Burke.
The Ruth C. Ellis Award: Ellis
is the subject of a one hour documentary by filmmaker Yvonne
Welbon: Living With Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @100. Ellis
came out in Springfield Missouri in 1915 and moved to Detroit,
Michigan in 1937, where she became the first woman to operate
her own business, Ellis and Franklin Printing Company. Ellis
served as a mentor and role model to many in the gay community
and her home in Detroit became a central location for African-American
gay and lesbian underground parties. At the time of her death,
Ellis was renowned as the oldest known "out African-American
lesbian." Wendy Belkin was empowered by Ellis' life story
and has pledged a five-year commitment to funding this award.
The Joan P. Garner Award:
Garner is the first Executive Director of the Atlanta based
Southern Partners Fund, whose mission is to fund and build
the capacity of community-based organizations and leaders
committed to advancing social, economic and environmental
justice across an eleven-state region in the rural south.
Garner has a long history of involvement in social change
philanthropy.
The Sha' Mendon Award:
Mendon, a native of Nashville, TN received a degree in Business
Administration from Austin Peay University with a focus on
marketing. She currently serves as chief operating officer
for an IT firm and founded Kings Crossing Publishing. Mendon
is committed to developing a well informed next generation
of writers, by supporting new and young writers through education
about the writing and publishing industry.
The Tony Daniels Community Ally Award is
named in honor of Anthony C. Daniels (1965 - 1998), one of
Atlanta's most powerful organizers and activists. Daniels
was a founder of In The Life Atlanta, Inc., of ADODI Muse,
Inc., and of the Black Lesbian & Gay Poets Society. A
long-time AIDS survivor, he was a vocal and passionate advocate
for the rights and freedom of people living with HIV, poor
people, women, and people of color. This scholarship is funded
by ADODI Muse, Inc: A Gay Negro Ensemble, the black gay male
performance poets' collective..This will be awarded to a male
student who otherwise meets all the criteria of the Audre
Lorde Scholarship Fund. In particular, this scholarship is
intended for a brother who works to build bridges between
communities. (Preference will be given to a man who does significant
work in women's communities.)
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Lesbians and Gay men of African descent interested
in obtaining an application should call (404) 370-0911 or
e-mail zami@zami.org You may also download an application
from our website at www.zami.org.
All application materials must be postmarked by July 31, 2002
and mailed to ZAMI at P.O. Box 2502, Decatur, Georgia 30031.
We prefer that all application materials be
mailed as one package. If the reference or transcript is mailed
under separate cover, the student is responsible for making
sure that we receive it on or before the deadline. Incomplete
or late applications will not be reviewed. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
Awards are for the current academic year only and by law are
paid directly to the academic institution. Recipients may
apply each year for renewal. A scholarship committee reviews
applications. Finalists may be invited to participate in a
face-to-face or telephone interview. Early applications are
encouraged.
NOTE: Award recipients are expected to attend
the Audre Lorde Scholarship Awards Ceremony scheduled for
September 27-29, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. Please mark you
calendars...More info to follow.All expenses are paid by ZAMI.
ZAMI: A Carriacou word for women who work together
as friends and lovers...
|
