The Shirley E. Howes Educational Award
The Shirley E. Howes Educational Award is specific to Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County, and honors the effort and scholarship of a woman attending a college or university to earn a certification, baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree in Accounting, Finance, or Law-related fields. Women from the Northeast Ohio area ages 18 and older of all income levels are eligible to apply. Judging is based on four areas: effort toward education, scholarship, extracurricular activities and financial need. Neither Soroptimists nor family members of Soroptimists may apply.
When Shirley became a Certified Public Accountant in 1953, she was the first female CPA in Stark County, Ohio. The personification of a Soroptimist—a woman dedicated to helping make life better for other women—Shirley Edwards Howes has left a wonderful legacy through her leadership of the Canton/Stark County club’s cash awards program. Shirley chaired the Awards Committee for much of her 26‐year membership with Soroptimist, hosting meetings and using her home‐based CPA and law facilities to distribute the award materials and oversee judging each year. Memorial donations in Shirley’s name, following her death in March of 2012, came from numerous award recipients, fellow club members, and others touched by this outstanding lady’s community service and her passionate example for “making a difference” in their lives and the lives of others in the Stark County community.
Applicants are judged according to several criteria, with an emphasis on effort toward education, as follows:
- Effort toward education – candidate’s efforts to ensure she obtains an education; use of savings; work while attending school; sacrifices made.
- Scholarship – based on cumulative grade point average.
- Extra-Curricular Activities – community and school activities; level of interest and personal effort required; leadership demonstration.
- Financial Need
- General Impression – thought given to vocational goal; aspirations and attitudes towards education, community, and self; overall impression.
Soroptimist programs are funded by charitable contributions. To learn more, or to make a donation, visit www.bestforwomencanton.org, or email sicanton.starkcounty@soroptimist.net.
Mail completed applications by January 22, 2014 to:
Shirley E. Howes Educational Award
Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County
PO Box 2336
North Canton, OH 44720