The Shirley E. Howes Educational Award – applications available in the CPPO or online.
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.
When North Canton resident Shirley Howes 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.
The Canton/Stark County club will provide a $550 cash grant to its award recipient. Applications are due January 15, 2015 and can be found online at www.bestforwomencanton.org.
Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County is a volunteer organization for business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Founded in 1941, the Canton/Stark County club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas where almost 100,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women. In addition to offering cash awards for education to local women, Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County promotes awareness about domestic violence, teen dating violence and sex trafficking through various events and programs. For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit soroptimist.org.