Although it was an unconventional cause, Theta Theta knew it was worth it.
For four months, the Hermanas of the Theta Theta Graduate/Professional chapter in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland raised funds for a scholarship that would be awarded to a young Latina mother going to college.
The Hermanas were given the idea by Jessica Tirado, a recipient of a similar scholarship. In 1998, the Nu Chapter-University gave mothers money for college through the “Madres Award.” Tirado was one of the winners and gave the Hermanas the idea to revive the scholarship. “We had an amazing example of what a young mother can be in Jessica,” said Stacy Terrell, president of Theta Theta. “We knew there was great potential in the applicant pool.”
Always ready for a challenge, Terrell said the Hermanas of the Theta Theta Chapter decided to try to revive the scholarship. The scholarship was important to the chapter because it helped them support Latinas facing difficult obstacles yet continuing to purse a higher education. Fundraisers included everything from a happy hour around Valentine’s Day to donations from other Hermanas.
The chapter teamed up with the Northern Virginia Urban League’s Alexandria Resource Mother’s Program and the T.C. Williams High School to receive nominations and applications for the receipts. Susana Quant was the recipient of the Theta Theta 2010 Book Scholarship. She received the award at the second annual Mother’s Day Brunch, Nuestras Madres. The $300 award was meant to help Quant pay for textbooks this fall.
“Congratulations Theta Theta Hermanas for taking small strides to positively impact our communities and working to increase
the number of women seeking and attaining higher education,” says Mayra Espinoza, supporter of Theta Theta.
Terrell said the chapter hopes to keep the scholarship going and wants to increase the award to $500 next year.
