Career Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor's degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the work force. Special consideration is given to women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation, and dependent care and for distance learning. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
SEARCH FOR RECIPIENTS
AAUW originally designed Career Development Grants to offer "encouragement" funding to AAUW members seeking to renew or resume academic work for credit toward career or employment advancement. Fifty members from 36 states received the first grants in 1972.
Through the years, the grants have helped many women pursue their educational goals and go on to achieve professional success. A 2004-05 Career Development Grant helped Valerie Streit, now a producer at CNN, pursue a master's degree in media ecology. Chris Simoniello, a 1998-99 grant recipient, is working to monitor and observe the world's oceans in order to develop warning systems for natural disasters, safeguard water resources, and manage energy resources. And Patricia Marzec, a 2004–05 Career Development Grantee, is using art therapy to help low-income families and children develop conflict management skills.
The 2009-10 Career Development Grant recipients are an impressive group of women representing a diverse range of career interests and fields of study, including marine conservation, statistical genetics, educational leadership, international business, and public health.
AAUW thanks the following 2009 Career Development Grant panelists: Deborah Ritchie (IL) - chair, Karen Bonnell (IN), Kathryn M. Burleson (MN), Genny Carrillo Zuniga (TX), Patricia Cheong (TX), Tina Ewing (NC), Warna Gillies (MD), Penny Haynes (NY), Areta Kowal-Vern (IL), Mary Krueger (OH), Patricia Prunty (NY), Carole Richardson (MI), and Lynda Wilson (CT). Guest Panelists: Margaret Bauer, Kelly Budros, Cheri Butler, Kimberly Ellis, Rosa Huff, Nelda Mier, Kristi Murphy, Kristy Lee Park, Lisa Schwartz, Auntaneshia Staveloz, and Martha Trunk.
