Diversity Scholarship

At NWOCC, our mission is to empower womxn of color in the legal profession at every stage of their careers. Law school is stressful enough without the added stress of financial aid. Our goal is to support aspiring attorneys who will work toward a more just future and help increase diversity in the legal profession.

The winner will receive a scholarship of four hundred dollars ($400) to supplement the cost of legal education, as well as a free one (1) year membership with NWOCC.

Eligibility

Applicants for the NWOCC Diversity Scholarship must meet the following criteria: 

  1. Be a member of a historically underrepresented  minority community, including but not limited to, African-American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian-American, and any other non-European minority groups;
  2. Either (a) show proof of academic enrollment or acceptance at an ABA-accredited law school for the 2023-2024 academic year, or (b) proof of registration with their state bar in 2024;
  3. Be over the age of eighteen (18);
  4. Submit the scholarship application and a short essay (see below);
  5. Include a photo with the application to be used when the winner is announced; and
  6. Agree to the terms and conditions for the scholarship.

Applicants must submit their application and all required materials by June 30, 2023.

Essay Question

Our application form includes several short-answer questions along with one short essay question: 

What do you believe is the most pressing issue for womxn of color in the legal community today? Why?

We recommend that you prepare your essay before you fill out the application form.

Scholarship Application Instructions

The National Womxn of Color Collective will only consider applications submitted using the form on this page. Applicants must fill out each required field and must attach their response to the essay prompt in PDF format. Applicants must also type their full name at the bottom of the application to serve as their electronic signature. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact info@nationalwocc.org. 

Apply Here

2022 Winners

About Our Winner - Darcy Gallego

"To me, to be a womxn of color means to stand on the shoulders of our ancestors and to be their wildest dreams. It means coming from a lineage of strong womxn who defied the odds and persevered despite obstacles across borders, language, and class. It means to be underestimated by society and at times diminished to fit a certain stereotype, but it means having the resolve to success despite the odds."

Darcy is a proud first-generation student and daughter of immigrants from Colombia. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelors of Arts in International Affairs in 2018 and is an incoming 1L at Fordham Law School. After college, Darcy worked as an outreach assistant with U.S. Senator Bob Menendez where she managed a portfolio that included immigration, the Latinx community, and healthcare. She currently works as a Senior Legislative and Policy Associate at the Immigration Hub, an immigration policy organization in Washington, DC. Her goal in going to law school is to develop the skills to serve as a well-rounded advocate for immigrant communities. She wants to gain practitioner experience working directly with immigrants and envisions herself returning to advocacy in the future to push for pro-immigrant policies and ultimately to make this country a better place for all regardless of immigration status.

About Our Runner-Up - Simone Edwards

"Being a womxn of color means experiencing life while navigating stereotypes about who people believe that you are, and finding your own path in a world that does not prioritize your needs. It also means that you have more of an understanding of what it means oppressed, ignored, and suppressed ultimately making you the best person to tackle issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, should you choose to take on that burden. Burdens are simply a party of your experience as a womxn of color, but so is the beauty of having unique identities that allow you to connect with many."

Simone is a current 2L at Georgetown University Law Center and earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Government in 2019 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is pursuing a public interest career and has clerked at the Migrant Legal Action Program. She is also the CEO and Founder of the Winter Joy Project, a nonprofit focused on providing winter clothing to children in need.

Simone is an active member of her law school’s WOCC chapter and is passionate about mentorship and being involved with her community. She looks forward to mentoring future WOCC members and hopes to pave the way for others to navigate life as a womxn of color.