Scholarships
The Stonewall Foundation of Greater Sacramento offers yearly scholarships for students attending Los Rios Community College and Sac State. Application due dates are usually in the Spring.
Laurie McBride Scholarship
The scholarship is named for long-time LGBTQ lobbyist and activist Laurie McBride. Laurie McBride was a leading advocate in California, pushing for statutory protections long before many activists considered doing so. She is a former legislative lobbyist who worked for decades in local, statewide and national movements for civil rights and political access for LGBTQ individuals. From 1990 to 1998, she was executive director of the Lobby for Individual Freedom and Equality, a state-wide coalition to advance gay rights across California. During this time she successfully led legislative efforts for employment protections, domestic partnerships, and HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. She went on to work as a policy advisor and chief of staff in the legislature, and as Assistant Secretary of State. She also served as co-chair of National Stonewall Democrats for 10 years. The scholarship was created by the Stonewall Foundation to cultivate advocates who, like McBride, understand that fighting for equality requires consensus building, commitment and resolve.
Sam Catalano Scholarship
This scholarship is named for long-time LGBTQ activist Sam Catalano, a leading figure in civil rights organizing. He was instrumental in founding local organizations, the Sacramento Stonewall Democratic Club and the Stonewall Foundation of Greater Sacramento. His passion continues to be the education and promotion of LGBTQ Leadership and civic engagement, supporting LGBTQ candidates for public office at every level. Sam worked tirelessly to end discrimination and promote equality for all people. Funded by the Stonewall Foundation, the scholarship aims to support emerging advocates who understand that fighting for equality requires ongoing commitment and resolve.
Award:
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The Sam Catalano Scholarship offers 2 awards up to $2,000 for the 2021-2022 academic year to students attending Los Rios Community College.
Criteria:
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Los Rios Community College enrollment in 9 or more units
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Completed 24 or more units
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Planning to transfer to a four year university.
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Submit a 400-500 word essay answer to the question: How are you an advocate for LGBTQ rights in the community, and how do you plan to continue to advance LGBTQ equity, including involvement with any on-campus and/or off-campus entities?
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Applications with an attached letter of support from a campus group, staff, or faculty member or community agency will be viewed favorably.
Past Scholarship Awardees
Laurie McBride Scholarship Awardees
Catie G. Bussey CSU Sacramento, English Composition, Rhetoric, and Professional Writing Master's Program
Alexsander Willis CSU Sacramento, Math
Sage Beamon CSU Sacramento, Communication Studies
Tranh Pham CSU Sacramento, Counseling
Clara Silva CSU Sacramento, Social Work
Nathalie Mendoza CSU Sacramento, Anthropology
Travis Legault CSU Sacramento
Vrindavani Avila CSU Sacramento, Women and Ethnic Studies
Sam Catalano Scholarship Awardees
Lovedeep Bains UC Santa Barbara, Political Science
Sasha Zabegalin UC San Diego, Cognitive Science-Machine Learning
Donna Delgadillo Sacramento City College and American River College, Music Therapy, Ethnic Studies, and Gerontology
Nora Zade UC Davis, Psychology and Native American Studies