Burlington County Awards $5K in Scholarships to Women Leaders

Burlington County is putting its money where its values are, offering five $1,000 scholarships to help young women launch careers in fields where they'll shape the future.

The Burlington County Women's Advisory Council opened applications this month for graduating high school seniors in Bordentown and across the county. The scholarships target three critical fields: STEM, healthcare, and business entrepreneurship.

"March is Women's History Month and one of the ways we celebrate the women trailblazers of the past is to recognize and support some of our county's young women scholars," said Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. The program partners with Virtua Health, Remington & Vernick Engineers, and the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce to fund the awards.

The scholarships come in four categories. Two "Future Leader Scholarships" go to students who've already demonstrated advocacy on women's issues in their communities.

The "Future Entrepreneur Scholarship" supports a student interested in business, while the "STEM Innovation Scholarship" backs someone pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math. The "Light Maker Scholarship" from Virtua Health targets future healthcare professionals.

Deputy Director Allison Eckel emphasized the mentorship aspect. "As women leaders, we have a responsibility to mentor the new generation and encourage them to pursue promising careers," she said.

Applications close April 15 at 4 PM, with winners announced later that month. The county will celebrate recipients at an awards ceremony on May 19.

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships do more than ease tuition costs. They send a clear message to young women: your community sees your potential and wants to invest in it.

By targeting fields where women remain underrepresented, Burlington County is building a pipeline of diverse leaders. Today's scholarship recipients become tomorrow's engineers, doctors, and business owners who'll mentor the next generation.

The program proves that celebrating history means creating it, one student at a time.