Senator Debra Plowman Informs Tomorrow’s Female Leaders about Scholarship, Networking Opportunity

AUGUSTA – Senator Debra Plowman (R-Hampden) is encouraging college-bound female high school juniors and seniors to participate in a national academic scholarship essay contest. Winners of the essay contest receive a $3,000 scholarship and a trip to the 2007 National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) Annual Conference.

For the past 10 years, NFWL and the National Rifle Association have sponsored the Bill of Rights Essay Contest, which awards the monetary scholarship and free trip to seven winners. This year’s essay topic is “Revolutionary Women.”

To participate in the contest, all applicants must submit an Essay Contest Verification Form to the NFWL office in Washington D.C., followed by a completed application for formal entry. In addition, all applicants must include two personal letters of reference as well as the name of a woman legislator sponsoring their contest entry, with the completed essay, no later than Tuesday, June 19.

Essays must be between 400 and 600 words, tell facts and/or stories concerning women during the American Revolutionary Era, and offer insight into the significance of the subject’s experiences, achievements or heroism for Americans today.

To be eligible for this year’s essay contest, applicants must be college-bound female high school juniors or seniors, and the seven winners of the contest must attend the entire NFWL Annual Conference to receive their awards. Sponsoring woman legislators must also attend the conference. The dates of the conference are yet to be determined, but may be some time in late August or early September. The location of the conference is also undetermined, but possible sites include Hawaii and San Francisco. At the conference, winners will have an opportunity to receive leadership training, and network with women legislators from all over the country.

Sen. Plowman, one of twelve women legislators in the Maine Senate, is urging all eligible young women to take advantage of the opportunity. “This contest is a great way for tomorrow’s women leaders to explore the achievements and contributions of the women leaders of the past,” she said. “I hope every female junior and senior in my district strongly considers entering this essay contest, and I would be honored to sponsor one of these driven, talented girls in their efforts.”

More details about the essay contest, as well as application materials, are available by contacting the National Foundation for Women Legislators. The organization can be reached by calling (202) 298-3040, or by sending an e-mail to nfwl@womenlegislators.org.

Senator Debra Plowman represents District 33, which includes Carmel, Charleston, Corinna, Corinth, Dexter, Dixmont, Etna, Exeter, Garland, Glenburn, Hampden, Kenduskeag, Levant, Newburgh, Newport, Plymouth and Stetson. She can be reached in Augusta at 207-1505, or by e-mail at debraplowman@cs.com.

###