AAUW Awards International Fellowship to SON Student

American Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded a 2011–12 International Fellowship to Florence Osita Okoro from Nigeria. She is a doctoral candidate in Nursing at School of Nursing, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

The first AAUW International Fellowship was awarded in 1917 to Virginia Alvarez-Hussey, who studied medicine at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and then returned to Venezuela, where she became a specialist in the treatment of leprosy. The International Fellowships have been given to more than 3,000 women from 135 nations. Recipients are selected for academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to women and girls. They return to their home countries to become leaders in their fields in government, academia, community activism, the arts, and science.

Florence plans to use the award to pay her tuition and fees. “This is a huge relief, I will have a stress free 2011-2012 academic year with such an award that will almost pay my tuition and fees”.

“The AAUW International Fellowship program has touched women from nearly every corner of the world, empowering them to break through barriers in their homelands,” said Gloria Blackwell, AAUW director of fellowships, grants, and international programs. “Like their American counterparts, the 2011-12 AAUW International Fellows are exceptional women who are uncovering new ground, providing important perspective, and helping humanity.”

Since 1888, AAUW has provided more than $83 million to 11,000 fellows and grantees. Click here to read the press release about this year’s awards. To view the directory of fellowship and grant recipients, visit www.aauw.org/education/fga/fellows_directory/index.cfm.