Stefanie Nolli Gaspar Awarded a Ruth Taylor Scholarship

United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is proud to announce that Stefanie Nolli Gaspar of White Plains has been awarded a 2020 Ruth Taylor Scholarship. She is one of 4 recipients who collectively received scholarship awards totaling $14,000.

Nolli Gaspar is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Fordham University. She earned her B.A. in Anthropology and Latin American and Caribbean Studies with a minor in Mexican and Mexican American Studies from CUNY Lehman College. Nolli Gaspar is the founder and co-director of White Plains Still Dreaming, secretary of Teens Under Construction, and is a domestic violence counselor for My Sisters’ Place.

In her application, Nolli Gaspar wrote, “I am interested in continuing my work with addressing generational trauma and healing in families and diverse communities. I want to combine my studies with my background and work closely with communities to gain access and autonomy fighting towards human rights and social justice.”

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. 

Since the 2008-2009 academic year, 64 students from Westchester received a collective $175,000 in Ruth Taylor scholarships. 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.