WS Chronicle

The Legacy Foundation for Women awarded scholarships to deserving high school students in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools on Tuesday, May 7, in the Central Library Auditorium. The Legacy Foundation for Women is a non-profit 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization that celebrates women and girls of color.

Each year during the month of October, the Legacy Foundation of Women holds its annual Winston-Salem Legacy Awards Gala honoring outstanding women of color who are leaving a legacy in our community and around the world. The proceeds from that gala event benefit the organization’s Legacy Scholarship Program. 

The scholarship program recognizes young women of color who are transitioning from high school into their freshman year of college. Each recipient applied for the scholarship via application, essay submission, and must hold a 3.00 weighted GPA or higher. The recipients were then selected by the foundation’s executive selection committee which include CEO/Founder Alicia M. Bailey, Judge Camille Banks-Prince, Mia Parker, Dr. Kendra Davis-Burch, Dr. Willette Nash, Dr. Karen Roseboro, Felicia Crouch, and Dr. Crystal Rook.

The Legacy Foundation for Women has impacted the lives of many women and girls of color through award recognition, scholarships and education, mentor programs, and humanitarian efforts. CEO/Founder Alicia M. Bailey says that she started the organization because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Alicia Bailey is a Christian minister, author, and gospel recording artist. She says that the organization is about making dreams come true and celebrating women and girls of color just like her. “It’s really all about leaving a legacy in our community by providing resources and recognition so that women and girls of color can reach their God given potential.”

The Legacy Foundation for Women recognized three outstanding young women of color during its Legacy Scholarship Reception on May 7. Students honored were: from Parkland High School, Marissa Renee LeGrant, who will be attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) in the fall to major in Business; from John F. Kennedy High School, Linda Mares-Esquivel, who will attend Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to major in Social Work and  Enjoli Noyola-Renteria, who will attend Wingate University to major in Pharmacy. Each student was awarded scholarships from the foundation for their outstanding academic accomplishments. They shared their essay submissions, their college plans, the personal impact that women of color have made in their lives over the years, and the legacy that they themselves plan to leave in the community after graduating from college. The audience was moved to tears as these young women of color talked about transforming the world for the better and making an impact as young women of color. 

Bailey says, “The Legacy Foundation for Women is looking forward to seeing all three of these brilliant young women shine as they journey into their collegiate years.”

For more information about the Legacy Foundation for Women or how you can support or donate to the foundation, visit the website at www.legacyfoundationforwomen.com.