By rdnewsNOW staff

gender equality

Empowering students to LEAD the way

Apr 30, 2021 | 11:45 AM

The Leaders in Equality Award of Distinction (LEAD) Program is supporting 90 post-secondary students with their studies.

The first intake of the LEAD scholarship program is complete, and 90 students have been advised their applications were successful.

“We are committed to empowering women and gender-diverse students to fully participate in Alberta’s recovery. This injection of $225,000 will support students at post-secondary institutions across the province as they pursue fulfilling careers that support our economy and our society. The diversity of applicants really proves that students of all backgrounds are eager to enhance gender equality in our communities.” – Leela Sharon Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women

LEAD consists of two funding streams: the Women in STEM Award stream to support women pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); and the Persons Case Scholarship stream, for anyone pursuing studies to advance gender equality or studying in areas where women are traditionally underrepresented.

More than 200 applications were received in the first intake of the program. Most applicants are attending post-secondary institutions across the province, with the majority attending MacEwan University, Mount Royal University, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary.

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“As a First Nations woman studying environmental science, I am so grateful for being chosen as a recipient for the Person’s Case Scholarship. To hear and feel the tremendous support from the Hon. Leela Aheer is so encouraging. I hope to make her and other women proud and inspired to take chances in fields where women, typically First Nations women, are underrepresented.” – Sarae Quewezance, successful applicant and environmental science student

The first intake received 209 total applications and 201 met the eligibility requirements. Total funding for the LEAD Program is $225,000 for each intake.

40 students received $2,500 each from the Persons Case Scholarship stream. This stream received 95 eligible applications.

50 students received $2,500 each from the Women in STEM stream. This stream received 106 eligible applications.

The next application intake is anticipated to occur in fall 2021.

(Government of Alberta)