The first woman to receive the AWESOME/MIT Advancing Women through Education (AWE) Scholarship was announced as Elizabeth Raman from The Home Depot. AWESOME and the MIT Center for Logistics and Transportation partnered to create the scholarship, which awards full tuition for an early career woman to pursue a master’s degree in supply chain management from MIT during school year 2019-20. The award, currently valued at $72,000, is the first ever full tuition award specifically for women in the 20-year history of the MIT SCM.
Two additional finalists — Gaby Lamas from Johnson & Johnson and Victoria Brown from International Data Corporation – will receive half-tuition to attend the program.
The scholarships were announced and presented to the recipients on January 30 at MIT’s Research Expo which showcased the proposed research projects of 180 students from 42 countries in the current MIT Masters in Supply Chain Management.
In written remarks to the scholarship recipients, AWESOME founder Ann Drake, said,
“One of our priorities has always been to help women build their skills, competence, and confidence for authentic, powerful leadership. We believe that is absolutely critical for women to advance as leaders.”
To the three recipients, she sent this message:
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“Congratulations. You will expand your knowledge exponentially – and be well on your way to AWESOME leadership. We encourage you to make the most of it. We know you have an exciting future, and we look forward to following your career.”
Members of the AWESOME community were encouraged to generate awareness of the scholarship among women in their company or network who could advance their career by earning a master’s degree from MIT. MIT accepted applications from all sources and selected the three finalists. An AWESOME committee reviewed the applications and designated the full-tuition awardee.