Friends of MCC Foundation Award 37 "Women in Transition" Scholarships

Submitted by Donna Bieschke, media relations specialist at McHenry County College

The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation recently awarded $15,000 in scholarship money from the Women in Transition scholarship to 37 female students in MCC’s Basic Nurse Assistant program.

This is the first time the Women in Transition scholarship was awarded and it allowed the women who are 24 years of age and older to continue their college education. The students are currently being trained to become certified nursing assistants, and many are planning to pursue nursing careers.

The Women in Transition scholarship is funded through proceeds from the Foundation’s annual Take a Walk in Her Shoes Ball, which takes place in March during Women’s History Month. According to Kathrine Pfister, the Foundation’s development coordinator, the event’s theme of shoes  symbolizes the steps women take as they go through life.

“We are very proud of all the hard work done by the Take a Walk in Her Shoes Ball committee, whose members are dedicated women throughout McHenry County and who volunteer many hours of their own time working on an event designed to help others in need,” said Bill Brennan, executive director of the Friends of MCC Foundation. “These women really exemplify what can happen when a group of people work together for a common purpose.”

“The Woman in Transition scholarship has become a reality because of the support of the Friends of MCC Foundation and a group of compassionate, energetic women who are committed to helping other women with challenges to complete their education while also working to raise their families,” said Sandra Pierce, Shoe Ball chairperson. “I am very excited to be a part of the women helping women effort and look forward to their successful completion of their educational goals.”

This group of recipients is enrolled in MCC’s certified nurse assistant classes and came to MCC through a federal grant for nursing.The costs associated with the number of women involved in this study program exceeded the grant funding.

“The large number of students in this semester’s grant-funded classes wouldn’t have been able to continue with their classes this semester without the Foundation’s generosity,” said Joan Flanagan, director of MCC’s Nursing Department.

For more information on the Women in Transition scholarship, contact Kathrine Pfister, development coordinator, at (815) 479-7529.