MPS Foundation has teamed up with the Milwaukee Bar Association to provide more women of color access to the field of law with a new scholarship named in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The scholarship is for young women of color who are attending undergraduate college prior to law school or who are attending law school at either Marquette or the University of Wisconsin.
According to the 2018 Vault/MCCA (Minority Corporate Counsel Association) Law Firm Diversity Survey, women of color account for 14 percent of associates, but only five percent of no-equity partners. And only three percent of equity partners.
From the press release:
The new Ruth Bader Ginsburg Scholarship program was founded by local lawyer and MPS Foundation board member, Fred Tabak.
“Justice Ginsburg’s legacy compels us to identify ways we can help more young women follow in her footsteps. In Wisconsin and across the country, we have a great need for the legal profession to look more like the communities we serve, yet it is difficult for those from underserved neighborhoods to succeed,” Tabak said. “The scholarship will make a little dent, we hope, in that lack of diversity.
The scholarship program is in its initial fundraising stage. Tabak is calling for lawyers, law firms, and other organizations to help fund this scholarship.
Anyone interested in supporting this program is invited to make a donation to the fund. DONATE: mpsfdn.org
“Everything we do is about breaking barriers for MPS students. This timely effort is right in line with that mission,” said Wendell Willis, MPS Foundation, Executive Director. “We are incredibly grateful to Fred’s leadership and call-to-action. We are now accepting student scholarship applications and will award our first student this Summer.”
- Undergraduate: Recipients will receive $2,000 each year of undergraduate studies
- Graduate: Recipients are eligible for up to $10,000 per year while attending the University of Wisconsin Law School or Marquette University Law School
Eligibility:
Justice Ginsburg spent her long career working on expanding the opportunities available for women, and in carrying forward her legacy, this scholarship will assist Milwaukee Public Schools graduates that meet the following criteria:
- Women of color
- Demonstrated history of academic achievement
- Are recommended by their teachers, mentors, supervisors, or other adults
To aid scholarship reviewers in their evaluations, students who apply for the scholarship will be asked to discuss women in their life who inspire them, share career goals, and articulate how they plan to impact their communities.
Application: Apply online at mpsfdn.com/scholarships by Friday, March 26.
