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Vivian Winston Scholarship

Awarding funds to local mothers juggling the cost of tuition and childcare.

Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit and exemplary character with preference given to students demonstrating financial need. The value of the award is $1,500 to $5,000.

 

About the Scholarship

A scholarship fund was established in 2006 to honor WHWF Co-Founder, Vivian Winston. Winston focused on social justice work and was an early advocate for women and children. Not only was she a member of Spokane’s chapter of the League of Women Voters from its inception in 1948 she was also the first woman president of Spokane’s United Way in 1969.

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The scholarship application for the 2027-28 school year will open in December 2026.

Meet the 2026-27 Scholars

Alison

WSU Spokane

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I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to receive this scholarship. It means so much to me, not only as financial support, but as a sign that someone believes in my path and my future. As a woman and an immigrant starting my professional journey from the beginning, this support is especially meaningful. Moving to a new country and building a new life is not easy, but this scholarship gives me strength, confidence, and hope. I truly appreciate being part of a community that supports women and believes that it is never too late to start again, no matter your age or where you come from. This inspires me deeply and motivates me to keep moving forward. Thank you for your generosity and for creating opportunities for people like me.

Hanna

Spokane Community College

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to receive this scholarship. It means so much to me, not only as financial support, but as a sign that someone believes in my path and my future.

As a woman and an immigrant starting my professional journey from the beginning, this support is especially meaningful. Moving to a new country and building a new life is not easy, but this scholarship gives me strength, confidence, and hope.

I truly appreciate being part of a community that supports women and believes that it is never too late to start again, no matter your age or where you come from. This inspires me deeply and motivates me to keep moving forward. Thank you for your generosity and for creating opportunities for people like me.

I am truly honored and grateful to receive this scholarship from Women Helping Women Fund. As a mother of two and a student working hard to achieve my goals, this support means so much to me. It not only helps ease my financial burden but also motivates me to continue pursuing my education with confidence and determination. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my journey toward building a better future for my family.

Maryam

Spokane Community College

I am truly honored and grateful to receive this scholarship from Women Helping Women Fund. As a mother of two and a student working hard to achieve my goals, this support means so much to me. It not only helps ease my financial burden but also motivates me to continue pursuing my education with confidence and determination. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my journey toward building a better future for my family.

I am deeply honored to be a recipient of the Vivian Winston Scholarship. As a transfer student and a mother of ten at Eastern Washington University, this support is truly transformative. My journey has been defined by resilience; despite a cancer diagnosis in my second quarter, I refused to pause my education. I completed my AA in just five quarters—graduating and walking across the stage while halfway through chemotherapy. Even now, as I face the potential loss of my home, I remain committed to my double major in Psychology and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. This scholarship is more than financial aid; it is a lifeline that allows me to stay focused on my path toward becoming a trauma-informed counselor. I am profoundly grateful to the Women’s Helping Hands Fund for investing in my mission to build financial stability for my family and to show up for the Spokane community through action and somatic healing.

Nancy

Eastern Washington University

I am deeply honored to be a recipient of the Vivian Winston Scholarship. As a transfer student and a mother of ten at Eastern Washington University, this support is truly transformative. My journey has been defined by resilience; despite a cancer diagnosis in my second quarter, I refused to pause my education. I completed my AA in just five quarters—graduating and walking across the stage while halfway through chemotherapy.

Even now, as I face the potential loss of my home, I remain committed to my double major in Psychology and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. This scholarship is more than financial aid; it is a lifeline that allows me to stay focused on my path toward becoming a trauma-informed counselor. I am profoundly grateful to the Women’s Helping Hands Fund for investing in my mission to build financial stability for my family and to show up for the Spokane community through action and somatic healing.

I just want to start by saying thank you—truly. I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Vivian Winston Scholarship. Receiving this support means more to me than I can fully put into words. As someone who has been navigating school, life responsibilities, and showing up every day committed to building a better future, this scholarship feels like a real reminder that my hard work is seen and supported. It lifts a financial weight off my shoulders and allows me to stay focused on my education and long-term goals in a way that brings me both relief and motivation. I am proud to be continuing my journey in Business at Spokane Community College, and I carry a deep passion for creating opportunities not just for myself, but for others in my community as well. This scholarship is not just financial support—it’s encouragement, it’s belief, and it’s fuel to keep going.

Shacre

Spokane Community College

I just want to start by saying thank you—truly. I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Vivian Winston Scholarship. Receiving this support means more to me than I can fully put into words.

As someone who has been navigating school, life responsibilities, and showing up every day committed to building a better future, this scholarship feels like a real reminder that my hard work is seen and supported. It lifts a financial weight off my shoulders and allows me to stay focused on my education and long-term goals in a way that brings me both relief and motivation.

I am proud to be continuing my journey in Business at Spokane Community College, and I carry a deep passion for creating opportunities not just for myself, but for others in my community as well. This scholarship is not just financial support—it’s encouragement, it’s belief, and it’s fuel to keep going.

I am a single mother and social work student working hard to complete my education while balancing the responsibilities of raising my daughter and maintaining full-time employment. My journey has not been easy, but it has been deeply meaningful. Becoming a mom to my daughter, Izzie, has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. At the same time, balancing school, work, and motherhood has challenged me in ways that have strengthened my resilience, determination, and sense of purpose. There was a time when I never imagined I would be sober, a mother, or pursuing a college degree, yet here I am, continuing to push forward toward a better future for both my daughter and myself. This path has been shaped by the support of others, especially a social worker who once believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Because of her encouragement, I found my passion for social work and my desire to give back to families who may feel unseen or unheard. I hope to be that same source of support and belief for others. I am deeply honored to receive the Vivian Winston Scholarship. This award not only provides meaningful financial relief, allowing me the flexibility to better balance work, school, and time with my daughter, but it also reminds me that my efforts are seen, valued, and supported. It gives me the opportunity to focus on completing my program while continuing to build a stable and hopeful future for my family. Thank you for empowering women like me and for investing in our futures. Your support means more than I can fully express, and I am truly grateful.

Stephanie

Spokane Falls Community College

I am a single mother and social work student working hard to complete my education while balancing the responsibilities of raising my daughter and maintaining full-time employment. My journey has not been easy, but it has been deeply meaningful. Becoming a mom to my daughter, Izzie, has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. At the same time, balancing school, work, and motherhood has challenged me in ways that have strengthened my resilience, determination, and sense of purpose. There was a time when I never imagined I would be sober, a mother, or pursuing a college degree, yet here I am, continuing to push forward toward a better future for both my daughter and myself.

This path has been shaped by the support of others, especially a social worker who once believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Because of her encouragement, I found my passion for social work and my desire to give back to families who may feel unseen or unheard. I hope to be that same source of support and belief for others.

I am deeply honored to receive the Vivian Winston Scholarship. This award not only provides meaningful financial relief, allowing me the flexibility to better balance work, school, and time with my daughter, but it also reminds me that my efforts are seen, valued, and supported. It gives me the opportunity to focus on completing my program while continuing to build a stable and hopeful future for my family. Thank you for empowering women like me and for investing in our futures. Your support means more than I can fully express, and I am truly grateful.

Tonya

Spokane Community College

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am deeply honored to receive the Vivian Winston Scholarship Award. Thank you to Winston and the Vivian Winston Scholarship Committee for supporting my educational journey at Spokane Community College. Your generosity has given me an opportunity that I truly value and do not take for granted. This scholarship provides me with more time to focus on my studies; a gift that means more than words can express. As a parent of a young child and a full-time student, balancing these responsibilities requires dedication and careful time management. I am currently in my second quarter of the AAS-DTA Pre-Law program and am proud to be among the first in my family to pursue higher education at this level. I am passionate about social justice and becoming a lawyer is not just a career goal for me, it provides me the opportunity to serve better as a catalyst of change; it is a calling to advocate and promote the well-being of the communities and people I serve. Representation matters, and it makes a difference. This scholarship brings me one step closer to beginning my law degree and fulfilling that purpose. As an international student from Kenya, each step in this journey represents growth, resilience, and hope for a better future to myself and the people I will one day serve. Thank you for this incredible honor and for believing in my potential. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and honoring your investment in my education.

Winfred

Spokane Community College

am deeply honored to receive the Vivian Winston Scholarship Award. Thank you to Winston and the Vivian Winston Scholarship Committee for supporting my educational journey at Spokane Community College. Your generosity has given me an opportunity that I truly value and do not take for granted.

This scholarship provides me with more time to focus on my studies; a gift that means more than words can express. As a parent of a young child and a full-time student, balancing these responsibilities requires dedication and careful time management. I am currently in my second quarter of the AAS-DTA Pre-Law program and am proud to be among the first in my family to pursue higher education at this level.

I am passionate about social justice and becoming a lawyer is not just a career goal for me, it provides me the opportunity to serve better as a catalyst of change; it is a calling to advocate and promote the well-being of the communities and people I serve. Representation matters, and it makes a difference. This scholarship brings me one step closer to beginning my law degree and fulfilling that purpose. As an international student from Kenya, each step in this journey represents growth, resilience, and hope for a better future to myself and the people I will one day serve.

Thank you for this incredible honor and for believing in my potential. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and honoring your investment in my education.

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Application Information

Eligibility

To qualify for the Vivian Winston Scholarship, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Female student at Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Washington State University-Spokane, Whitworth University, Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane Community College, or a trade/certificate program

  • Pursuing an Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree or special certification (including trade or technical)

  • A resident of Spokane County while attending school

  • Have dependent child(ren) requiring child care during the 2025-26 school year

Application and Award Timeline

  • Applications must be submitted in February 2026.

  • Recipients will be notified in Spring 2026.​

Application Tips

  • One letter of recommendation is required. Select someone who knows you well and can provide specific examples of your abilities, character, and achievements. 

  • Make sure your essay responses are complete and include detail. We want to get to know you!

  • Highlight your strengths, passions and successes.

  • Read through the entire application before writing answers.

  • Ask a family member, teacher or counselor to review your application for errors.

  • If you have any questions, reach out to our office at 509.328.8285 (call or text) or info@whwfspokane.org. 

 

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