We, the Ladies of Tau Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, are women who are committed to excellence in all areas of life. We strive tirelessly to exemplify the ideals of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood as held by our illustrious Sorority. Our chapter, Tau Delta Zeta, has created a scholarship essay contest, Power of the Written Word, to encourage high scholarly achievement through writing and creative expression among college-bound young women. Through our contest, we challenge young women to define the noble and unique ideal of Finer Womanhood in relation to the examples of phenomenal women in their own lives and the women they aspire to be.
FINER WOMANHOOD – The Ideal
The ideal of Finer Womanhood originated in the minds of our Illustrious Founders: Arizona Cleaver Stemmons, Viola Tyler Goings, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Fannie Pettie Watts, and Pearl Anna Neal. They envisioned a quality that held Zetas to the highest standards of womanhood. A Finer Woman is a lady of high moral character, intelligence, resilience, faith and courage; Therefore, Finer Womanhood is the exclusive quality that sets Zeta women apart from all other women. Though a key precept and personal foundation for the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, the concept of Finer Womanhood is an ideal for which all women should strive.
A Finer Woman’s spirit is reflected in a woman’s character, what she says and does, but most importantly, in the way she lives daily.
ESSAY TOPICS:
For this year’s Power of the Written Word Essay Contest, applicants must submit a response to one of the following topics:
• Teenagers face many challenges. Describe one of the biggest challenges to teens in today’s environment. Explain how you could be a positive influence against this issue, or more concretely, what do you feel you could do to resolve and/or change this challenge?
• As part of his goals during his administration, President Barack Obama has developed The American Graduation Initiative. The American Graduation Initiative seeks to increase the number of students who complete undergraduate degrees by the year 2020. In your opinion, what reforms are needed for grades K-12 and postsecondary schools, if the nation wishes to attain this goal by the year 2020?
SUBMISSION FORMAT:
All submitted essays must be typed and 300-600 words in length.
The submission package must include the essay, scholarship application, an official transcript and one letter of recommendation by a school administrator in a sealed envelope .
All essay submissions must be received by Saturday, April 16, 2011. Mail or email completed essays to:
Patricia M. Twitty
Chairwoman
Power of the Written Word Scholarship Essay Contest
c/o Tau Delta Zeta Chapter
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
P.O. Box 744
Laurel, MD 20725-0744
tdzscholarship@zphibtdz.org
JUDGING & CRITERIA:
Essay submission will be evaluated by the Power of the Written Word Scholarship Essay Contest Committee on the basis of creativity, grammar and format. The composition must appropriately execute the aforementioned topic and adhere to the requested word length.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:
The top three winners of the Finer Womanhood Essay Contest will receive the following awards:
• 1st Prize: $1000.00
• 2nd Prize: $500.00
• 3rd Prize: $300.00
The awards will be disbursed as a check payment in the winner’s name directly to the University or College the student will attend. Proof of college acceptance must be submitted prior to disbursement of the award.
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.
