Honorees by Category

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• Arts/Entertainment
  • Dr. Nina Perlove
• Community Advocate
  • Sally Berg
• Community Service
  • Tyree Gaines
• Consulting/Training/Education
  • Andrea Kay
• Entrepreneurship
  • Lauren Abel
• Finance/Banking
  • Mackey McNeill
• Healthcare
  • Kimberly Wells
• Judicial
  • Cheryl D. Grant
• Law/Law Enforcement
  • Kim Frey
• Management
  • Joanne Schreiner
• Manufacturing
  • Julie S. Janson
• Media/Communications
  • Charlaine Martin Branch
• Ministry
  • Pat Merchant
• Office Support
  • Cassandra Riley
• Public Service/Government
  • Bernice L. Walker
• Sales/Marketing
  • Kim Haas
• Service Industries
  • Marsha Emmons-Bell
• Skilled Trades
  • Sherry Malott
• Sports
  • Theresa A. Check
• Woman Against All Odds
  • Melissa J. Whitis
• Women's Advocacy
  • Karen Bankston
    
    

Rose Tomlinson Scholarship

Congratulations Erika Jay, 2009 Winner of the 2009 Rose Tomlin Scholarhsip

Erika Jay, Inroads Inc.,is the granddaughter of a sharecropper and spent the early part of her life relying on public assistance with her mother and two brothers; I believe that she was humbled by this experience. Later she took the responsibility of raising her brothers while her mother worked two jobs and attended college. Through this she gained a sense of responsibility and learned to value education while understanding that sacrifice is often necessary to move forward in lie in a way that would empower her to have an impact on her surroundings. She has recently returned to school to pursue an MBA so that she can share a message of hope and empowerment with a new generation of college students by educating them about business in a new global economy grounded in ethics and concern for humanity.

The Rose Tomlinson Scholarship honors the memory of one of the founding members of The Leading Women Steering Committee.  Dynamic, intelligent, opinionated and a strong believer in women’s rights, Rose was a woman of conviction who embarked on a new professional career in finance at age 50.  She achieved success – despite doubters and despite obstacles.  Rose was the mother of seven and an energetic and involved member of the Cincinnati community.

Rose also served on the Board of Women’s City Club, Women’s Political Caucus, Cincinnati Business and Professional Women, Women Entrepreneurs, Women Helping Women Center of Hamilton County (Women Helping Women) and the League of Women Voters.  She was also a supporter of Cincinnati Public Schools and an active member of Cincinnatians Active to Support Education.  This admirable woman died at age 82 on April 18, 2005.

The Rose Tomlinson Scholarship is awarded to a woman who, despite obstacles, seeks to change or further her career in mid-life just like Rose.  The 2009 winner, Erika Jay, will be honored at the annual Leading Women luncheon on March 4, 2009.

2009 Young Women’s Scholarship Award Honorees

This annual award recognizes 11th grade young women in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky public high schools who demonstrate their potential leadership ability through their response to the following essay question.

1st Place
Ellen Murphy, Beechwood High School, Covington, Kentucky

“Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you’re knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on…. Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time …it’s got about 18 million cracks in it.” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

"I admire Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton who continues to demonstrate leadership to women in the new millennia. My great grandparents were from Armenia and when they came to America they had to work very hard to make a living and overcome discrimination. All my life my Mom has raised me to work hard for everything I want, and not to take anything for granted.

"I will graduate with high honors as a straight “A” student. I plan to attend the University of Tennessee or Northwestern University and major in business."

2nd Place
Niana Shaw, Withrow International High School, Cincinnati, Ohio

"Throughout history we have seen the many struggles that women have endured. Today a woman can do anything a man can, enter any profession she desires. I admire Dr. Alexa Irene Canady, the first African American Neurosurgeon in the United States. She had to face prejudice from her coworkers for not only being a woman but also being an African American. She didn’t let what other people think stand in her way of accomplishing her goals. We, like Dr. Canady, in leadership positions can create opportunities for young women … by opening up people’s eyes to not only see a woman but a person capable of performing the same duties as everyone else, an equal individual.

"Upon graduating from high school, I plan to go to Howard University and obtain a Doctorate in Neurosurgery and an Associate degree in surgical technology before attending medical school."

3rd Place
Rawan Alsheyyab, Clark Montessori High School, Cincinnati, Ohio

Being a young Arab American woman, I feel that women assuming positions of power traditionally held by men, is a critical accomplishment to changing previously held expectations of women.… Many young women in Arab society understand that they aren’t only born to be in their husband’s shadow but a complementary part of society. In my point of view a leader is an individual who knows the true meaning of their effect on the community. A leader is responsible for the outcome of her/his decisions. A leader can bring understanding and peace to the community or society that s/he is living in. A leader can sacrifice for the good of the group but the sacrificing of one’s rights is never a leader’s characteristic. Most importantly, a leader never gives up on their goals, no matter how big the obstacle.

My continuing education goal is to attend Ball State University and earn a Masters in Law Psychology.

The first place winner receives a $1,000 educational award, second place winner a $750 educational award and the third place winner a $500 educational award to the college or continuing education facility of their choice.

The Young Women’s Recognition Committee of Leading Women, Inc. selected the winners.

Questions? Call Co-Chairs Joan Jones at 513.769.6557 or Laura Carr at 513.281-5035.