2023 Scholarship Cycle
Shattering Glass Ceilings Scholarship is pleased to announce the winners of our 2023 scholarships. We awarded scholarships to 6 women who are all first-generation college students and are between the ages of 18 and 28 years old. Of these women, 83% live in economically distressed areas and 30% have immigrated to America. Each recipient received up to $1000 in scholarship aid, which was sent directly to the institution of higher learning to offset loans or direct tuition payments made by the student.
Jaquelin Hernandez-Martinez was selected to be the recipient of our second annual Shattering Glass Ceilings Scholarship award made in honor of Dr. Tonya Gscheidle Henderson. Dr. Henderson graduated from Colgate University in 1998 and died after a long battle with cancer. Like Jaquelin, Dr. Henderson was the first person in her family to graduate from college. She was a community builder and created lasting friendships in every corner of her campus life. She had grit and determination, and after graduating from Colgate, she went on to earn a PhD in Psychology. Shortly before her death, she won School Psychologist of the Year for the state of Oklahoma. We wish Jaquelin and all our scholarship recipients the best as they work toward their goals.
Shattering Glass Ceilings Scholarship’s 2023 Recipients
Busola Adeshina
Age: 23
Where Busola grew up: Lagos, Nigeria
Where Busoa now lives: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Busola’s college and academic year: Carnegie Mellon University, graduate school
Area of Study: Master of Science in Public Policy Analysis and Management
Why Busola is pursuing a post-secondary education: “As a Sustainability and SDGs advocate, I am passionate about the ways in which data can be utilized by data analytics and smart technologies to proffer solutions to the problems faced by people in the global south (such as poor health and healthcare access, pervasive poverty, inadequate and low-quality food, and many others). My primary career goal is to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, and I have spent the last couple of years researching the role of data analysis as a key driver of the solutions needed to make the SDGs a reality which is why I am pursuing a Masters in Public Policy Analysis and Management at the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University.”
Read more about Busola
Ashley Balducci
Age: 18
Where Ashley grew up: Chase City, Virginia
Where Ashley now lives: Farmville, Virginia
Ashley’s college and academic year: Longwood University, Sophomore
Area of Study: Biology with a concentration in Pre-Med
Why Ashley is pursuing a post-secondary education: “So that I can become a Physician Assistant and help aide all the sick little kids in the world to health.”
Read more about Ashley
Tonoa Bowman-Hayes
Age: 21
Where Tonoa grew up: Irvington, New Jersey
Where Tonoa now lives: Irvington New Jersey
Tonoa’s college and academic year: University of Pittsburgh, Junior
Area of Study: Psychology
Why Tonoa is pursuing a post-secondary education: “I am pursing a post-secondary education because I want to give myself multiple opportunities to be successful later on in life. And I want to show my younger family members that education doesn’t have to stop at high school.”
Read more about Tonoa
Jasmine Guzman
Age: 26
Where Jasmine grew up: Sylmar, CA; Los Angeles, CA
Where Jasmine now lives: Sylmar, CA
Jasmine’s college and academic year: UMASS Global, Junior
Area of Study: Social Work
Why Jasmine is pursuing a post-secondary education: “The reason I am pursuing this career, is because I have always had a passion for helping others. Being able to provide individuals with resources and tools they need to living a meaningful life brings me great joy. After graduating I aspire to become an LCSW to be able to offer therapeutic services.”
Read more about Jasmine
Jaquelin Hernandez-Martinez
Age: 20
Where Jaquelin grew up: North Carolina; Mexico; and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Where Jaquelin now lives: Pittsburgh, PA
Jaquelin’s college and academic year: University of Pittsburgh, Junior
Area of Study: Communications and Spanish double major with a minor in Portuguese, and a concentration in International Affairs
Why Jaquelin is pursuing a post-secondary education: “To me, secondary education is key in becoming successful. Nevertheless, I have chosen to continue my education because I want to expand my knowledge and abilities in order to be able to help children have the opportunity of quality education systems.”
Read more about Jaquelin
Faith Soltero
Age: 23
Where Faith grew up: Los Angeles, CA
Where Faith now lives: Los Angeles, CA
Faith’s college and academic year: California State University, Los Angeles – Senior
Area of Study: Master of Science in Healthcare Management
Why Faith is pursuing a post-secondary education: “I am pursuing a post-secondary education to propel my career forward and make an impact in my community personally, and professionally. I want to make a difference and learn the tools necessary to help bring universal healthcare to all and create organizational policy.”
Read more about Faith