Download entry form >>
A Creative Writing Competition for Students in Berkshire County
Open to all Berkshire County Students Grades K – 12
We all have “Real Women” in our lives that we respect.
Here is a great opportunity to share this person’s life with your community. She may be a person who is or has been an inspiration to you in some way. She may be someone whom you already know or would like to know and learn more about.
Here are examples:
Historical Women: Locally or nationally recognized like Susan B. Anthony, Sally Ride, Harriet Tubman, and Edith Wharton
Role Model/Mentor: Family members, friends, teachers, neighbors, and acquaintances
Students may interview these women or conduct research. All entries should be the students’ own work. These projects may relate to units in history, language arts, visual arts, units teaching about values, and career development.
Founded in 1986, the Real Women Essay Contest Task Force contacts Berkshire County Schools and invites their participation each year for their annual Real Women Essay Contest. The combined efforts of the dedicated task force and community support make this a successful yearly tribute to women’s contributions in Berkshire County and beyond.
There are also kits that are available for check out at the Berkshire Athenaeum. These kits have many complete unit lesson plans. Also available for lending upon request are DVD copies of the power point presentation from last years awards celebration. This contains profiles of accomplished area women, local teachers and winning students.
For additional information contact coordinators
Christa Collier, 442-5174, x16
christac@brighamcenter.org
Sarah Gillooly, 442-5174, x17
sarahg@girlsinc-berkshires.org
JUDGING CRITERIA
¬ Awareness of the woman as a person in society and as a role model
¬ Effective use of descriptive language
¬ Correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, and neatness
¬ There are ten categories (Each grade K-8, 9-10, and 11-12)
Judges are area community leaders and educators
FORMAT
¬ Essay, Poetry, or Scripted Conversation, First Person Monologue, or Journal
¬ Five hundred (500) words or less
¬ Maximum two single-sided sheets of paper
¬ May be accompanied by artwork or photos
¬ Kindergarten description (may be printed by an adult as told by the student)
¬ Student name should appear on completed entry form and attached to the essay
¬ Must be typed (except for K-3)
¬ 8 ½ x 11 paper only
¬ Please, no staples, paperclips preferred
SUBMISSION
¬ Teachers must select and submit essays
¬ Max. two essays per classroom/section
¬ Must be accompanied by a completed entry form. E-mailed entries must be sent as an attachment
¬ Entries due no later than 2/17/2011
¬ Put names on entry form not essay
¬ Essays will not be returned
Entries may be submitted via the following (Hand Deliver or Mail):
Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center
165 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
TIMELINE
November
¬ Mailing sent to schools and teachers
December/January/February
¬ Introduce Projects
¬ Students conduct interviews and research
¬ The teacher selects 2 (maximum) per class
Deadline for Submission: February 17, 2011
The Awards Celebration is at Berkshire Community College on March 23rd, 2011, at 6:30 p.m.
Winning students, their families, and teachers will receive invitations.
Awards
¬ All entries will receive a special certificate
¬ Winners will receive ribbons and certificates
¬ First Place Winners also receive a book
Some essays will be printed in area newspapers.Winning essays will be displayed at sites throughout the county.
There are also kits that are available for check out at the Berkshire Athenaeum. These kits have many complete unit lesson plans. Also available for lending upon request are DVD copies of the power point presentation from last years awards celebration. This contains profiles of accomplished area women, local teachers and winning students.
More information here.
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
