Women In Media Partners For Student Scholarship

MCLEAN, VA  –The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) proudly announces that Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, is continuing its support of Empowering America, a public service campaign that profiles inspiring women who have pioneered in fields such as science, social reform, public service, sports, journalism, music and aviation.

Established in 2008, this AWM-Ford program provides innovative learning tools and educational collateral materials to underprivileged middle schools across the country. In 2011, AWM with the support of the Ford Motor Company Fund will donate educational booklets and artisan-quality posters to middle schools in Oklahoma City, OK, Sacramento, CA, Tampa, FL, and Washington, DC, meaning thousands of middle school students will be exposed to the true stories of American women who have made a difference. The women featured in the 2011 booklets have extensive and diverse backgrounds including a choreographer, astronaut, journalist and judge.

In 2011 as AWM celebrates its 60th Anniversary, the Empowering America program has expanded to include a student scholarship. The competition will challenge students to create a short video celebrating the many inspiring women featured in the Empowering America collateral. The video will highlight the many ways these women influenced the course of American history and how their legacies continue to impact us today.

Thanks to Ford Motor Company Fund’s generosity, the student who creates the winning video will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship. The final video will be prominently displayed on AWM’s web site and social media outlets. The winning video will also be circulated to middle schools across the country through AWM’s long-term alliance with the National Middle School Association (NMSA). Click here for scholarship information and application.

“We’re delighted to be working with Ford Motor Company Fund again this year to expand the Empowering America program,” said AWM Chair Sylvia Strobel. “The new scholarship competition is an exciting and creative way for students to pay tribute to some of the most inspiring women in American history.”
"We hope this project inspires young women to build on the legacy of strong, successful women with remarkable achievements in fields historically closed to women," said Jim Vella, President of Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "Our partnership with AWM on the Empowering America program is designed to make a difference in the next generation of leaders."

About the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM): The Alliance for Women in Media leverages the promise, passion and power of women in all forms of media. Formerly known as American Women in Radio & Television, AWM is the longest-established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment, and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2011. The Alliance for Women in Media carries forth its mission by educating, advocating and acting as a resource to its members and the industry at large via inspired thought leadership that illuminates areas of societal need.
About The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation: The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (formerly known as The Foundation of American Women in Radio & Television) supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has created partnerships and joint-initiatives with the National Middle School Association, the Emma Bowen Foundation, the American Red Cross and other organizations that are philosophically aligned with the mission of the Foundation. The Foundation supports several public service campaigns, including most recently a radio PSA campaign with the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. The Foundation also supports Empowering America®, an initiative which pays tribute to many of America’s most pioneering and inspiring women. Through this program, the Foundation provides Empowering America® educational collateral to needy urban middle schools around the country. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards®, a live gala that honors exemplary programming created for, by, and about women.
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services: Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to building communities through partnerships that promote education, driving safety and quality of life in communities where Ford does business. Established in 1949, and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, the Fund's programs include Ford PAS, which provides high school students with academically rigorous, interactive learning experiences, and Ford Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused safe driving initiative. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, 20,000 Ford employees and retirees participate each year in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities in more than 40 countries.