The dream of a college education at the College of The Bahamas has become easier to obtain through the Zonta Club of New Providence’s recent move to increase its scholarship fund by $5,000.

“We consider it a priority to equip all young female students who have shown promise in their studies with the necessary tools to become successful,” said Theresa Moxey-Adderley. “So it was a natural step for us at the Zonta Club of New Providence to recognize that we had to do more in such a tight economy.

“And we have such a wonderful group of outstanding, determined women who want to give back to society that it was a unanimous decision for us all to come together and increase the education fund.”

The grant fund is allocated by COB every year to a mature female student - at least 25 years old - who has earned an Associate's degree and wants to pursue a Bachelor's degree. The new endowment was established in honour of entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian Betty Kelly Kenning, OBE, at COB to continually fund the higher education pursuits of mature female students.

The country’s leading women’s organization last year contributed $50,000 for the creation of The Zonta Club of New Providence Betty Kelly Kenning Memorial Endowment and Scholarship. The donation was noted as particularly significantin that it was a gift to the Zonta Club from Kelly Kenning herself, part of her bequest at the time of her passing, several years ago.

The endowment has received noteworthy attention, given that it specifically targets mature female learners. President Marisa Smith, in a recent publication to all members, said there was still a lot of work left to do to empower more women.

“As women in our country, we have accomplished much progress both personally and professionally, but there is still a long way to get more sisters on board this train that will empower them to experience some ‘success and dignity’ for them and their families,” she said. “When girls and women across the developing world have been asked what they want for their future, the resounding answer is education, jobs, healthcare and security.”

It is a move the organization hopes will mobilize more future female leaders.

Zonta Club Officials donate $50,000 to the College of The Bahamas in honor of Betty Kelly Kenning.