Women LEAD
Founded in 2013 by the Junior League of Dallas, the Women LEAD (Learn • Excel • Achieve • Dream) scholarship program was created to assist female high school students in pursuing their dreams of higher education. Since the program began, the League has awarded 82 scholarships totaling more than $405,000 to female seniors at Emmett J. Conrad, South Oak Cliff and Thomas Jefferson High Schools.
2024-2025 application process opens October 2024
Timeline
- September – Scholarship application is released to students.
- December – Applications due online December 1st.
- February – Finalists to be announced. Speech workshop offered for the 10 finalists to help prepare for the competition.
- March – Finalists prepare and practice for final speech competition, held at the end of the month.
- March – Final Speech Competition.
Eligibility
- Must be a female senior student currently enrolled (as of Aug. 20, 2024) at Emmett J. Conrad High School, South Oak Cliff High School or Thomas Jefferson High School in the Dallas Independent School District.
- Must have at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of her junior year.
- Must plan to attend a two- or four-year accredited college, university or vocational school.
- Must have good character and a record of service to the school and community.
Application
- Eligible students must submit their applications online by December 1st, 2024.
- Application Workshops – A chance for potential applicants to learn about the Junior League of Dallas, the Women LEAD Scholarship, and the application process. During this session, applicants can ask questions about the steps needed to apply. 2024 – 2025 Application workshop dates for South Oak Cliff High School, Thomas Jefferson High School and Emmett J. Conrad High School are TBA.
Selection
The Women LEAD Scholarship Program Committee will review the applications and select up to 10 finalists.
Speech Workshop – If selected as a finalist, finalists may attend a public speaking workshop to perfect their skills and prepare for their speech competition. Workshop date to be announced.
WomenLead finalists are given a Junior League of Dallas mentor and awarded access to special events such as an exclusive event at Nordstrom rack, a financial planning workshop, a speech workshop and more!
Speech Competition
Finalists must prepare a three-to five-minute speech based on the essay topic decided by the committee to be delivered at the speech contest on March 22, 2025.
Finalists will be judged on content, delivery and stage presence by a panel of League members and community leaders.
Scholarship Awards
The scholarship winners will receive the following one-time awards:
- 1st place: $15,000
- 2nd place: $10,000
- 3rd place: $5,000
- 4th place: $3,000
- 5th place: $2,000
- 6th-10th honorable mentions: $1,000 each
