Gloria Freeman Awarded a Ruth Taylor Scholarship
United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is proud to announce that Gloria Freeman of New Rochelle has been awarded a 2019 Ruth Taylor Scholarship. She is one of ten recipients who collectively received scholarship awards totaling $19,500.
“I know each one of these extraordinary graduate students will make outstanding contributions to their fields and to their community,” said UWWP President and CEO Tom Gabriel. “We at United Way wish them the very best as they further their education and embark on challenging careers.”
Freeman is passionate about working with the elderly, the deaf, people with disabilities, and veterans. She is beginning a graduate internship at the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit of the VA Hudson Valley Health Care Center in Montrose, and completed a Social Work internship at Wartburg in Mount Vernon. Freeman studied at the College of New Rochelle before transferring and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Mercy College. She is currently enrolled at Fordham University and is pursuing a Masters of Social Work degree. Her award is in the amount of $1,500.
“Winning the scholarship gives me an opportunity to finish my Masters program and to serve the needs of my community with compassion, and to advocate for the people who were not afforded the same opportunities that I was,” Freeman said.
The Ruth Taylor Scholarship was established in tribute to Ruth Taylor upon her retirement as Westchester County’s Commissioner of Public Welfare and in recognition of her nearly four decades of outstanding service. The annual awards are sponsored by United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Westchester County Government and the Urban League of Westchester County. Over a period of 12 years, almost $160,000 has been awarded to 60 students with an average award value of $2,655. Applicants must be residents of Westchester County and enrolled in graduate studies in Social Work or Public Health on a full-time basis. Criteria used in evaluating applications include a demonstration of public service, financial need, and scholastic capacity.
