The Worthy Women Scholarship was created to uplift, empower, and celebrate women who are courageously rewriting their stories with purpose. As part of our commitment to supporting these women, our scholarship provides financial assistance to women returning to school later in life as nontraditional students.
In our final installment of this series, we are honored to introduce the first-place recipient of the 2024–2025 Worthy Women Scholarship, Brittney Tillman. Her journey embodies the purpose and heart behind this women’s scholarship program. In our interview, she discusses the inspiration driving her goals, the obstacles she has overcome, and how she hopes to use her education to make a lasting difference. Her story is a testament to the resilience, ambition, and unwavering determination celebrated by the Worthy Women Scholarship.
The 2025-2026 Worthy Women’s Scholarship is still open for submissions until April 1, 2026. If you are interested in applying and have not done so, make sure to do so soon!
About Your Journey
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to return to school?
Hi, my name is Brittney Tillman and I am currently a PreK Special Education Itinerant Teacher/ Case Manager in Harnett County Schools. Before taking this role, I was teaching Kindergarten. My youngest son was born with Fragile X Syndrome, ADHD, Autism and Epilepsy. I became heavily involved in advocacy for people with disabilities as well as early intervention and wanted to go back to school to be able to work with this population that I feel so passionate about.
What field of study are you pursuing, and what drew you to it?
I am working with Birth to Kindergarten Special Education. I was drawn to special education and early intervention due to my son’s disability as well as all of the students that I work with that have IEP’s and the joy that I get out of working with them and seeing them reach their goals.
What challenges have you faced along your educational or personal journey, and how have you
overcome them?
I started this position working full time and going back to school while being a single mom. I applied for scholarships, found a program that I could take online and continue working and spent many nights up working on school work after my kids’ bedtime. I also underwent two back surgeries and started this semester in the hospital!
How has this scholarship impacted your ability to reach your goals?
I was able to enroll in my last course! I will be able to complete my schooling this semester!
Looking Ahead
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?I see myself continuing to advocate for people with disabilities, making sure they get the resources and services they need to be successful. I would like to have more of an impact on laws regarding expanding access to preschool and inclusion of students with disabilities in the classroom.
What advice would you give to other women who are thinking about going back to school?
You can do it and it is worth it! Going back to school has greatly impacted the work that I’m doing, opened up new doors and been a wonderful experience.
If you could sum up your journey in one word, what would it be?
Difference
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