Fellowship Program History

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Need the application? Use the links below to open copies in new windows. You need both parts. Application Form (PDF) Est. Income Form (PDF) You need Acrobat Reader 4.0 or better. Use the link below if you need the Free Reader. Fellowship President Dion C. Weaver P.O. Box 3347 Antioch, CA 94509-9998 925-757-4588-Business 925-754-2773-Fax dcweaver@att.net Director, District I; Secretary Karen Ortega ortegas842@sbcglobal.net Director, District II Gloria Soderbery soderbery@sbcglobal.net Director, District III, Treasurer Linda Glantz dixontravel@sbcglobal.net Director, District IV Linda Bradbrook lbradbrook@gualala.com Director, District V Sarah Olson Turner STSoropt@aol.com Director, District VI Lorraine Teniya Lteniya@usafunds.org

Founder Region Fellowship is a nonprofit corporation of the Founder Region, Soroptimist International of the Americas.

Since 1948, Fellowship has provided fellowships to women in the final phase of their doctoral degrees.  It is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a president appointed by the regional Governor-Elect just prior to assuming her office and six directors elected to represent their districts in Founder Region.

Fellowships totaling a minimum of $20,000 are awarded each year to graduate students at universities within the boundaries of the region. During the first sixty years of the program, over $700,000 was awarded to over 250 deserving women. Through these awards Founder Region Soroptimists acknowledge the value of students' research work and enable them to complete the academic credential necessary for their careers.

All Soroptimists in Founder Region contribute $2.00 to Fellowship as part of their dues. In addition, clubs are asked to commit a minimum of $250 each year to this Founder Region Identifying Project.

How to become a Fellow — Clubs and individuals can become a Fellow by the contribution of $1,000 to Founder Region Fellowship within a biennium. A member can also contribute the $1,000 through their company's matching donation program. For more information, contact your District Fellowship Director or the Fellowship President.

In the words of a few whom we have helped:

Chris Smith, Professor of Religion, Princeton
"I am grateful for your touch upon my life and all your generosity."

Carol Murray, Public Health, University of Hawaii
"Thank you again for your assistance and easing the challenge of combining single parenting and an academic career."

Phyllis Kramer, Psychologist
"Your financial support was enormously generous ... the moral support that came with your vote of confidence and belief in me led to a greater belief in myself. Thank you again."