Chattanooga, TN --- Executive Women International® announces the recipients of their 2009 Fellows Scholarship Awards, totaling $24,500. The EWI Fellows Scholarship Program awards financial assistance to active EWI representatives interested in furthering their education in accredited baccalaureate, graduate, or post graduate programs.

Scholarship applicants responded from various states nation wide. To judge the award program fairly, EWI recruited non-affiliated Chattanooga businesswomen to serve on the judging panel. All identifying information was removed from each application prior to judging to ensure impartiality. Judges for this year’s award program were Jessica Ellis of Persian Rug Company, Carolyn Pool of Kenco Management Services, LLC and Melody Boggess, an independent graphic designer. EWI Corporate Fellows Liaison Nancy Harrison affirmed that, “The judges took the responsibility of awarding $24,500 very seriously.”

The baccalaureate winners are Yvonne Joiner, EWI of Memphis, $5,000; Debra DiBartolo, EWI of Orlando, $3,000, and Jody Hermann, EWI of Chattanooga, $3,000. The graduate winners are Lynn Berry, EWI of Fort Wayne, $5,000, Heather Burrell, EWI of Chattanooga, $5,000, and Selena Coker, EWI of Knoxville, $3,500.

“EWI is proud to provide educational assistance to our representatives. We believe that education opens the door to opportunity,” said Renea Callery, EWI Corporate Education and Professional Development Director. According to Callery, EWI donates nearly $500,000 annually between its three scholarship initiatives.

EWI is an international business organization that brings individuals from diverse businesses together for the purpose of promoting member firms, enhancing personal and professional development, and encouraging community involvement. In addition to the Fellows Scholarship Program, EWI of Chattanooga provides scholarships for underprivileged women at Chattanooga State Technical Community College and through an endowed scholarship at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. For more information, please visit ewiconnect.com.

Jennifer Hallmark

Jennifer Hallmark is a single mother of eight-year-old daughter, Danielle. Her life’s goals are to graduate from Southwest TN Community College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science. She then intends to pursue a nursing career and pass the boards to get her RN license. This scholarship will help her to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse and to becoming a self-sufficient member of society. Jennifer has been chosen to represent the Memphis Chapter as our nominee for the Corporate ASIST Scholarship.

Martie Johnson

Martie Johnson is a widow and self-employed manicurist. In May 2009, she obtained her Associates Degree from the Northwest Mississippi Community College. She plans to attend the University of Mississippi Desoto Center in Southaven in the Fall of 2009 and pursue a degree in elementary education. The ASIST scholarship will definitely help Jennifer in becoming the best elementary school teacher in Desoto County.

Elizabeth Safdari

Elizabeth Safdari is a single mother of six-year-old daughter, Madison. She is attending the Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences where she is pursuing a degree in Medical Radiography. She is also working at Otolaryngology Consultants of Memphis full time. The ASIST Scholarship will help Elizabeth to fulfill her dream of working in the healthcare field.