“I am deeply honored to receive this generous support, which will help me complete my degree and fulfill my goal of becoming a special education teacher.

This scholarship means so much more than financial assistance, it is an investment in my future and in the lives of the many students I will have the privilege to teach. Your support motivates me to continue working hard and to serve as a positive example of the power of educational opportunity.”

“Receiving the COWL W.I.S.E. Scholarship is a profound honor and a meaningful recognition of the dedication and effort I have put into my personal and professional growth. This scholarship not only provides financial support to help me pursue my goals, but also inspires me to continue striving for excellence in everything I do and reminds me that delayed doesn’t mean denied. I am deeply grateful to be a scholarship recipient from the 2025 Conference of Women Legislators, and I hope my journey can serve as motivation for others to persevere and achieve their dreams.”

“Thank you to everyone who made this scholarship possible! I am beyond excited and grateful because I’m so close to completing my degree. This scholarship allows me to focus more on my studies and relieves the pressure of worrying about how to pay for school. As a DACA recipient, my access to scholarships and financial assistance is limited, so opportunities like this mean the world to me. My education is something no one can take away from me, and this support motivates me to keep moving forward.”

“As an immigrant and first-generation college student striving for a better life, I believe that education is the key to opportunity. The COWL Scholarship has not only eased my financial burdens but has also reminded me that it truly takes a village to succeed. I am filled with gratitude and pride, knowing that I could not have reached this milestone without the support of COWL.”

“Receiving the COWL W.I.S.E. Scholarship has been a true blessing. As a 30-year-old single mother who returned to school and continued my education while pregnant, I have faced many challenges and moments of uncertainty in my personal life that could have stopped me from continuing my education. This scholarship represents more than financial support. It honors women like me who are returning to education later in life, while balancing motherhood, work, personal growth, and our dreams with grace and resilience. The COWL W.I.S.E. Scholarship is a gentle reminder that no matter where I am in my life, as long as I have the drive and determination, I am capable of rebuilding my life and I can achieve my dreams. I’m deeply honored to be a recipient and inspired to continue breaking barriers for myself and my son.”

“Receiving the COWL Women Influencing Second Encore (W.I.S.E.) Scholarship means so much more than financial support; it’s a reminder that my hard work, passion, and resilience is seen and valued. This award comes during a year when I’ve faced significant financial challenges, and its impact is both practical and deeply personal. It allows me to focus more fully on my studies and less on the financial strain that comes with pursuing higher education. I’m profoundly grateful to the Illinois Conference of Women Legislators for believing in women who are reinventing themselves and striving to create meaningful change.”

“As a non-traditional student and mother of two, receiving the COWL W.I.S.E. scholarship makes a tremendous difference for my family and me as I work to complete my degree in special education. Balancing school, parenting, and finances is incredibly challenging, and this support eases the financial strain that too often feels overwhelming. This scholarship is more than financial support, though; being selected as a recipient reflects a belief in my future as an educator and in the impact I aspire to make in the lives of my future students. I cannot fully express how deeply grateful I am to be chosen for the COWL W.I.S.E. award, but please know that my gratitude is sincere and heartfelt.”

“This scholarship will provide me the opportunity to continue my education without worrying about the financial burden.

My journey has not been easy. I have had to endure a lot and take on responsibility after responsibility. Every time that I feel like I am making progress, another hurdle gets in my way.

Being a recipient of this scholarship serves as a sign to me that I am on the right path. A testament that there are people out there who believe in me. I will not stop until I have my degree. Thank you for this opportunity!”

“Thank you, COWL W.I.S.E, for the opportunity to have my Spring 2026 semester paid for. I am extremely grateful for the chance to fully focus on my studies this semester. This is such a meaningful opportunity for me, as it allows me to worry less about how I am going to financially support my education.

Being a first-generation college student, receiving this scholarship means so much to me. It allows me to show my family that the sacrifices they made were all worth it. Having my first scholarship in my six years of academic journey makes this moment even more special because I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

With so many students who applied, it is truly an honor to have been selected. This support allows me to continue my journey without having to choose between my schooling and work. It gives me peace of mind and helps lift the stress of financial worries.

With much gratitude, thank you, COWL W.I.S.E, for believing in me and seeing me.”

“The COWL scholarship means more to me than financial support—it is the realization of a dream I’ve carried for years for myself and for other (FIP) formerly incarcerated people. I’m working with over eleven Il. Colleges as a consultant for their Higher Education Programs to bring these bachelor’s degree programs to twelve Illinois prisons. I am now able to practice what I preach with more ease. I have always believed that we are far more than the “X” society places on our backs, that education is a right, not a privilege, showing We are scholars, organizers, analysts, doctors, lawyers, and experts in the work of justice.

For so many of us, pursuing a degree while raising a family and working full-time is the only path forward, yet it often comes at a painful deficit—financially, emotionally, and professionally. This scholarship has given me the ability to continue doing what most HEP adults must do: work and go to school simultaneously, but now with dignity and stability rather than sacrifice. This is also a personal nod to the relationships I’ve built in Springfield through years of lobbying and community work. These women have shown, time and again, that they not only cosponsor our bills—they genuinely care. They listen, they stand with our communities, and they recognize the people who are part of the fight on the ground. Their support demonstrates that real change happens when lived experience, advocacy, and legislative leadership come together with purpose.

It allows me to stay committed to the work I do—supporting financial stability, creating opportunities for FIPs, building justice-reform programs, and proving every day that our lived experience is not a barrier but a credential. This support brings me one step closer to graduating, advancing my professional impact, and helping others achieve the livable-wage futures they deserve.

This scholarship isn’t just helping me finish a degree—it’s helping me continue a mission for my family, community, state, and the next generation.”