Every year, Worthy proudly supports women pursuing continued education through the Worthy Women Scholarship, a program created to uplift, empower, and recognize those who are rewriting their stories with purpose. As part of our mission to champion women in transition, we’re honored to provide a scholarship for women who are returning to school, starting new careers, or overcoming life-changing obstacles with remarkable strength. The 2024–2025 application cycle brought thousands of inspiring submissions and set a new record for us, with over 3,000 submissions received!
Today, we are excited to spotlight our third-place winner, whose journey embodies everything the Worthy Women Scholarship stands for. In this interview, she shares what motivates her, the challenges she has overcome, and how she hopes to use her education to make a meaningful impact. Her story is a powerful reminder of why Worthy remains committed to supporting women as they take the next step in their personal, academic, and professional growth.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to return to school?
Education was not a priority in my household when I was growing up, though my mother did ultimately complete her undergraduate degree in her 40s and a graduate degree in her 50s. Earning and financial means were always the main concern, which meant any college efforts usually took a backseat to making a living. Unfortunately, there was only so much I could earn without furthering my education, plus I knew I wanted to do more than work low-wage, unchallenging, and draining jobs. With the help of a mentor, I was encouraged to pursue law school and that goal lit a fire in me to complete my undergraduate degree.
What field of study are you pursuing, and what drew you to it?
I am in my first semester at Vermont Law, with the hopes of becoming a public interest attorney. Through decades of volunteer work, I found a true passion in supporting my community; however, I felt limited in how much I could truly offer and I realized I could do more by shifting from ally to advocate and utilizing the law to dismantle the barriers that keep people from achieving the successes of which I know they are capable.
What challenges have you faced along your educational or personal journey, and how have you overcome them?
Despite my reignited drive to attain higher levels of education, I am still financially responsible for myself and for my family and, therefore, must prioritize earning an income. While completing my undergraduate studies, I had much difficulty with my younger classmates who had the luxury of time and minimal responsibilities so they could focus solely on their education. Balancing work, family, and school has been a major challenge that has only gotten harder now that I am finding my footing in law school, but having a strong support system and surrounding myself with the right people has really helped me to work through the difficulties so I can always keep moving forward.
How has this scholarship impacted your ability to reach your goals?
Being a recipient of the Worthy Women Scholarship made me feel incredibly hopeful. The time, energy, and effort I have given to make it this far was validated when I learned I was chosen for the scholarship. Receiving this award reminded me of how far I have come, how much I have to be proud of, and everything I can and should celebrate. The burden of debt for a professional program like law school is one of many factors that always made me feel like a career as an attorney was wildly out of reach, but knowing that an organization like Worthy sees me, acknowledges my experience, and supports me along the way is the exact motivation I need to achieve my goals.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
In five years, I will be a licensed attorney. The field has poor representation among many identities and I would like to have a focus not only on public interest law, but an equally important focus on increasing representation and diversity in law. Women are slowly becoming more prevalent in the profession, but there is a lack of gender-nonconforming individuals and pay inequity between genders is significant. I want to make the position of attorney feel more accessible for women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and any other underrepresented group, especially those pursuing higher education later in life.
What advice would you give to other women who are thinking about going back to school?
Do it. Period. It will feel daunting, especially if cost is the main barrier that prevents anyone from accessing education. Going back to school can be what you make it and many institutions offer programs specifically for non-traditional students and for those who are a few credits short of completing a degree. Obtaining a job at a college or university can significantly help with costs. There are ways to make it happen. It’s going to take time, but it will be worth it.
If you could sum up your journey in one word, what would it be?
Exhilarating. It has really been a nonstop ride since I got serious about completing my undergraduate studies and rushing forward into law school. It took me over 20 years to finish my bachelor’s degree and I never thought I would find myself on the path to becoming a lawyer because I never thought I would complete that first step. I am incredibly appreciative to Worthy and the Worthy Women Scholarship for supporting, believing in, and investing in women.
The 2025-2026 Worthy Women Scholarship is open for submissions until April 1, 2026. For any inquiries regarding the Scholarship, please email us at [email protected] for assistance.
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