[360] ‘Equali-TEA’ to raise scholarship money for MTSU women April 11

MURFREESBORO — The American Association of University Women invite you to raise your cup of tea in tribute to equality.

The AAUW’s Murfreesboro chapter will host an “Equali-TEA” to celebrate the economic contributions of women in the workforce at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Andrew Woodfin Miller Sr. Education Center, 503 E. Bell St. in Murfreesboro.

Hats are optional at this high tea to raise money for scholarships for MTSU women students who are returning to college to complete degrees. The keynote speaker will be Rebecca Price, president and chief executive officer of the Nashville-based nonprofit organization Chick History.

MTSU first lady Elizabeth McPhee will deliver the official welcome. Former Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg will receive the Tempest Award for his work to promote women’s equality during his tenure.

In addition, the 2017-2018 recipients of the Ruth Houston Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship and the Butler-Fouts Memorial Graduate Scholarship will receive their awards.

“The Ruth Houston Memorial Scholarship has provided some financial relief for my family so I can work less,” said Bethany Jackson, a prior recipient. “It is motivating to see how AAUW lifts others up in their community, and it inspires me to do something great after I graduate.”

Eligible applicants for the Houston scholarship are nontraditional female undergraduate students age 24 and higher who demonstrate academic promise and financial need and who have completed their freshman year at MTSU successfully.

The Butler-Fouts scholarship is available to female graduate students from underrepresented ethnic or racial groups who demonstrate academic promise and financial needs.

Applicants must currently be enrolled in or accepted into an MTSU graduate program. Preference will be given to applicants who show that they are close to completing their degrees.

Attendees will be invited to make donations to the scholarship fund at the event, which is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and must be made by Friday, March 24, at http://tinyurl.com/mzb7tvp.

Co-sponsors include the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students and Timmons Properties Inc. For more information, contact Dia Cirillo, president of AAUW-Murfreesboro, at 773-677-4238 or President@AAUW-Murfreesboro.org.