Chartered in 1998 25422 Trabuco Road, Suite 105-334, Lake Forest, CA 92630-2790 www.nacoprwsocal.com 2009 Scholarships In 1972, a group of Puerto Rican women founded the Washington, D.C. chapter to support the rights of women. This historic moment marked the birth of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization seeking to promote the full participation of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic women in the social, economic and political life in the United States. Through the years, NACOPRW has been recognized for its involvement in the community and its support of women’s rights. Thirty-seven years later, chapters have been chartered in California, Illinois, Florida, Indiana, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. During the spring of 1997, co-founders L. C. Almodóvar-Solé and D. E. Castro-Paden gathered a small group of Puerto Rican women in Orange County, California, with the common interest of starting a bilingual chapter of NACOPRW in Southern California. NACOPRW-SoCal was chartered in October 1998 by the National Board, being the only chapter in the West Coast. To continue promoting leadership and the educational development of Puerto Rican women, NACOPRW-SoCal is awarding three one-time scholarships of $500 each. Please share this information with eligible students who may be interested (NACOPRW-SoCal eligible members may apply). Minimum eligibility criteria: Female student enrolled in 6 semester units (8 quarter units) or more at an accredited college or university. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in 12 semester/16 quarter units or more at an accredited institution. Puerto Rican heritage. Southern California resident (San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles Counties). Please complete the process as described below. Do not attach resumes or documents other than those requested. If desired, applicant may include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the supporting documents to be returned. Otherwise, the application and supporting documents will be purged after a year. Scholarship recipients are encouraged to attend the chapter’s “Mujer a Mujercita” Mentorship Event to receive the monetary award and to address the attendees of the event. The activity is tentatively planned for Saturday, April 18 or 25, 2009 in Orange County. Confirmation on the final date and location will be provided later. Please write legibly in black pen or type and fill out the application completely. Please write N/A on items that do not apply. Sign and date the application. Keep a copy for your own records, if desired. All application packets must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Please mail to the attention of the Scholarship Committee, NACOPRW-So-Cal, 25422 Trabuco Road, Suite 105-334, Lake Forest, CA 92630-2790. Incomplete or late application packets will not be considered. Please include the following supporting documentation: Proof of Spring 2009 enrollment (at least 6 semester/8 quarter units) at an accredited institution of higher education. Recent official transcript (in a sealed envelope) showing a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in 12 semester/16 quarter units or more at an accredited educational institution. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Community service rendered in 2008-2009 will be considered for selection. Please provide verification on letterhead paper of all community service including the name of the organization, type of community involvement, dates of service, number of hours, name/title of person signing the letter, etc. Titled essay or poem (500 words maximum, typed on separate paper, double spaced, 12 font size) highlighting the personal meaning of the applicant’s Puerto Rican heritage. For objective scoring, please do not write your name. An electronic copy of the essay/poem may be requested via e-mail at a later time. NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PUERTO RICAN WOMEN, INC. Chicago East Indiana IL IN Long Island NY Miami FL New York NY No. Virginia VA CONFERENCIA NACIONAL DE MUJERES PUERTORRIQUEÑAS, INC. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER No. Illinois IL Orlando FL Philadelphia PA Ponce PR Tampa FL Tri-County Washington MD DC CAPITULO DEL SUR DE CALIFORNIA