Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. (GLEF)

1. Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. (GLEF) What is this all about?

2. What if GLEF? • A 501 (c) 3, tax exempt status fund • The Fund provides women residing in NY State with a fellowship to complete master and doctorate degrees • Fellowships are awarded to qualified women • Special grants are given to groups or individuals for research, seminars and educational programs for all women

3. Who is this Grace LeGendre? • 1935-36 President of NYS Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Club (now called NYS Women) • From Rochester New York • In 1934, established the Mable Winters Scholarship Fund- forerunner of NYS/BPW State Scholarship • Distinguished herself as serving as NYS Scholarship Chairman for 19 years • In 1948, the State Scholarship was renamed the Grace LeGendre Fellowship

4. What do we do? • Support women with their goals and dreams • Provide educational opportunities to women • Support women working toward their masters or doctorates • Prepare women for the business and professional world • Offer educational opportunities for NYS groups and individuals through special grant program

5. Why do we do it? • Women need our support • Women have been underserved in the education market • Post graduate degrees are required for many careers • Level the playing

6. What have we achieved? • Been in operation since 1989: 25 years • Given over $140,000 to over 140 individuals • Awards have been given to students from 52 different NYS colleges and universities • Special grants have been given to local chapters and regions for workshops, research and seminars for all women • Special grant money is now available every year, showing growth from every other year

7. More about the Special Grants Program • Began in 2004 • Who is Eligible? • NYS Women, Inc. local Chapter or Region • Organizations (e.g., AAUW) not affiliated with NYS Women, Inc. • Who has received a grant? • Buffalo BPW, Norwich, BPW, Youth Leadership, Grand Island (2x), PW of Finger Lakes • For programs on ID, Women’s Conference, Breast Cancer awareness, Diabetes awareness, Jumpstarting careers or businesses

8. How can you help? • Contribute!!! All donations are tax deductible • Help expand the endowment • Corporate donations accepted • Spread the word • Urge women to apply http://www.gracelegendre.org/ • Beneficiaries and legacies accepted

9. Who can apply for the fellowship? • Be a woman who • Is a resident of New York State • Attends a NYS college or university • Is a US citizen and a NYS permanent resident • Is currently enrolled in a masters or doctorate degree program and within 2 years of completion • Shows evidence of scholastic ability and a need for financial assistance

10. NY Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. 2014 Awardees

11. Alycia Askew • New York Chiropractic College • Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine • Early on, Alycia decided that she wanted to help others who were struggling with their health.

12. Dominique Bertrand • State University of New York Buffalo • Pursuing her Ph.D. in Anthropology-Primatology • Dominique’s dissertation research focuses on how humans influence the behavior and physiology of a critically endangered primate in Indonesia

13. Carmen Lee • Columbia Teachers College • M.A. in Early Childhood Education • Carmen resolves to educate future generations on becoming more socially conscious

14. Choumika Simonis • Teachers College at Columbia University • Pursuing Masters of Science in Community Health Education • Choumika’s ultimate goal is to be a physician specializing in infectious diseases and public health issues

15. Award Luncheon in Albany • Carmen Lee and Choumika Simonis • Accepting their Award at the NY GLEF Luncheon in Albany NY • May 3, 2014