Assumption University Recognizes Young Women of Consequence Award Nominees with Scholarship Opportunities
On International Women’s Day, Assumption University partnered with the city of Worcester to acknowledge the 2023 Young Woman of Consequence Award Winner with a $10,000 ($2,500/year) scholarship toward tuition at Assumption University if they choose to attend. Aliya Addo, a senior at Worcester Academy, was announced as the 2023 Young Woman of Consequence Award Winner at this year’s Woman and Young Woman of Consequence Awards Ceremony in Worcester City Hall by the City of Worcester Advisory Committee on the Status of Women (ACSW) for her outstanding leadership and dedication to enact change in the Worcester community.
Assumption University also recognized each of the seven nominees for the Young Woman of Consequence Award with a $4,000 ($1,000/year) scholarship offer toward tuition at Assumption University if they choose to attend.
“Assumption University is proud to celebrate and support these young leaders within our community,” Cinzia Pica, Director of Assumption University’s Women’s Studies Program, said.
“The Women’s Studies Program at Assumption University focuses on studying and understanding issues of gender equity and justice and preparing students to work on issues such as the intersection of gender and poverty, gender-based violence, the gender wage gap, supporting better education, childcare, housing, social services, and infrastructure that support women and families,” she continued. “Likewise, the Young Woman of Consequence Award recognizes young women in the community of Worcester who are promising leaders and who combat gender and other social inequities through their action and service in their community.”
Pica presented the award and scholarship offer toward tuition at Assumption University to Addo on stage at the 2023 Women of Consequence Awards Ceremony, recognizing her for her service and activism in the community.
Massachusetts State Senator Robyn Kennedy, who received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Assumption University in 2003, served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. In her address, she spoke about the many challenges that women still face in the state of Massachusetts and around the world, and recognized Addo and the other young women nominated for the Young Woman of Consequence Award for their leadership to combat those issues.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8th to call attention to the inequalities that women still face around the world and acknowledge the efforts and success of those leaders who inspire change. Since 1996, the ACSW has celebrated the leadership of exceptional women in the Worcester community on International Women’s Day with the Women of Consequence Awards.
In 2000, the ACSW introduced the Young Woman of Consequence Award to the ceremony to also highlight the accomplishments of a high school junior or senior in the Worcester community who leads by example and demonstrates a dedication to giving back to the community. The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Leading Authentically.”
Assumption University’s Women’s Studies program is designed to teach students how to lead authentically: undergraduate students learn by experiencing – with many participating in internships and research opportunities focused on gender and equality-based issues in the Central Massachusetts community. Learn more about the Women’s Studies Program in Assumption University’s D’Amour College of Liberal Arts here.