North to the Future Business & Professional Women, Inc. presents, in partnership with the Rasmuson Foundation, and managed by The Alaska Community Foundation, the Senator Bettye Davis Memorial Scholarship.
Mrs. Bettye Davis graduated from Elliott High School in Bernice, La., and received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Grambling State University. She began her career as a nurse at Alaska Psychiatric Institute and retired from the State of Alaska, as a social worker with the Department of Health and Social Services. Upon retirement, she served as a member of the Anchorage School Board for 11 years, including two years on the State Board of Education.
Mrs. Davis served as an Alaska State Representative from 1990-1996 and became the first African-American to be elected as an Alaska State Senator in 2000, where she served until 2012. Davis was a Democratic Party member of the Alaska Senate, representing the K District.
Senator Davis had a love for her community and the state of Alaska and was specifically devoted to education, children’s issues, health care, women’s rights, and the advancement of minorities. She was steadfast in her faith and was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church for more than 45 years.
Scholarship awards are up to $4,000 paid out over 4 years with an annual request for award disbursement required. The actual number of awards may depend on the number of eligible applications received.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Woman of minority origin, identified as African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Hispanic
- Student’s household income not to exceed 125% of federal poverty income line
- A resident of Anchorage
- Proof of participation in community service activities and/or social programs
- Engaged in a course of study focused on professions in Social Services
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Preference:
- High School Senior
- Students currently enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical school
IMPORTANT: Scholarship recipients must submit their school and student ID number information by June 30, 2024 to ACF through the online system before their award can be disbursed. Failure to do so will be an automatic forfeiture of the award unless student chooses an award deferment.
For questions or concerns, please contact ACF at scholarships@alaskacf.org or 907-344-6700.