AAUW Naperville Area Branch selects two $5,000 scholarship winners
Since 1971, AAUW Naperville Area has awarded the Angeline Gale Scholarship in honor of Angeline Gale, a local educator, and early branch member. The scholarship is intended to enable a local female student to complete their quest for an education that has been interrupted for personal reasons.
Additionally, this year the AAUW Naperville Area Branch awarded a second $5,000 scholarship, the Sydell Hollman Scholarship, which was made possible by the generosity of member Michael Hollman.
Named for his mother, Sydell Hollman, who despite not being able to gain a college education due to the Depression, was a talented artist, supportive of women's causes, very active in the League of Women Voters, and loved to play bridge.
This year's Angeline Gale Scholarship $5,000 recipient is Vonashey Owens.
Owens is a nursing student at Rasmussen College and will graduate in December 2020. One of her professors describes her as a team player with strong leadership skills. In addition to her academic studies, she works part-time at Bright Star Care, a home health care service company, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and is involved with BPAT (Bringing People All Together) in West Chicago Elementary District 33. Owens is a married mother of four and is also caring for two nephews.
The Sydell Hollman Scholarship recipient is Maria Murga, who is enrolled in an accelerated business management program at Benedictine University in Lisle and will graduate in the spring of 2021. She is described by one of her professors as an inspirational leader who is attentive, inquisitive, honest, and humble. Murga's educational journey has been challenging because she is a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient thus unable to access federal loans or grants. In addition to her academics, Murga works full-time for DRF Trusted Property Solutions which provides plumbing services. Murga is a single mother of four young children.
Vonashey Owens and Maria Murga will be celebrated by the AAUW Naperville Area branch at a luncheon tentatively scheduled for Aug. 29 at Cress Creek Country Club.
The AAUW Naperville Area Angeline Scholarship is normally funded by the annual AAUW Naperville Area Used Book Sale which has been canceled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus. To ensure funding for our 2021 scholarships the branch has started a virtual fundraiser #EmpoweringWomenEveryDay, more information on this and how to donate funds can be found at naperville-il.aauw.net or facebook.com/AAUW.Naperville.Area/.