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Women United Scholarship Fund
Women United has awarded its 2026 scholarships to Ximena Olguin Figueroa, Savannah Murrell, Keyla Nuñez Meza, Ashley Rentz, and Angelique Wessel, five women earning degrees at Technical College of the Lowcountry and the University of South Carolina Beaufort while holding down jobs and showing up for their communities. Three future teachers. A future nurse. A future counselor. All five of them are already here, already working, already part of the Lowcountry.
Three are studying early childhood education, headed for classrooms in Beaufort and Jasper counties. One is studying nursing, inspired by the nurses she watched during the pandemic. One is studying psychology, with her sights set on the stigma that keeps people from asking for help.
This is what a local talent pipeline looks like. These are the educators, caregivers, and counselors our region will depend on in the coming years, and they are building their credentials right here rather than leaving to find them somewhere else.
"These five women are already giving back to their communities while working, studying, and raising the bar for what determination looks like," said Bethany Marcinkowski, Vice President of Education Impact for United Way of the Lowcountry. "Women United is proud to invest in their education and in the classrooms, hospitals, and counseling offices of the Lowcountry where they will serve."
Applications were reviewed and recipients selected by the Women United Scholarship Committee: Bethany Marcinkowski, Donna McKeown, Joann Montgomery, Connie Hipp, Jamie Mitchell, Katie Phifer, Bridgett Norton, and Kelli Boniecki.
Scholarship recipients will be recognized at an upcoming Women United event.
The Women United Scholarship is part of United Way of the Lowcountry's broader work to strengthen education and financial stability across Beaufort and Jasper counties.
United is the Way we open doors to education in the Lowcountry.
Click HERE to support the Women United Scholarship Fund.
Previous Women United Scholarship Recipients
2025: Tiana Cleveland, Marie Hooper, Savannah Murrell, Laticia Perry, Brandi Richmond, Angela Thomas, Eden Walker
2024: Geobana Alvarez, Alyssa Roberts, Tymeca Sawyer, Paula Madrid, Angela Thomas, Kayla Townsend
2023: Madalyn Bozman, Ximena Olguin Figueroa, Elizabeth Monzon, Tymeca Sawyer
2022: Claire Curry, Mariam Fernandez, Jo Little, Sharone Orr, Chasmere Washington
2021: Astrid Larissa Rodas Bautista, Brittany Suzanne McDaniel, Kahla Fry
2020: Charity Nicole Polk, Taiwo Dada, Jaime Carlson
Give A Lowcountry Student the Gift of Success!
The needs of our school children continue year-round. Help ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed this school year.
Support United Way of the Lowcountry’s Women United Mimi’s Closet initiative and provide essential supplies to underserved students in Beaufort and Jasper counties.
Click the “DONATE” button above to make your secure online donation or browse our Amazon Wish List by clicking the Amazon wishlist button below.
Leading the charge. Inspiring change.
United Way of the Lowcountry Women United offers members the opportunity to be part of a dynamic, philanthropic and fun organization of women leaders who care about our community.
Women United was formed locally in 2012, with a mission to mobilize the caring power of women to advance the common good by focusing on education in the forgotten pockets of Beaufort and Jasper counties.
Members work together to engage, educate and empower others to become leaders and actively participate to make our community better.
Women United holds free quarterly networking events and workshops featuring talented and inspiring women in our community. The workshops have become a resource in developing, encouraging and supporting women leaders, professionally and in philanthropy.
To join or learn more about United Way of the Lowcountry’s Women United email: womenunited@uwlowcountry.org.
Breaking Barriers to Education Fund
The Breaking Barriers to Education Fund seeks to help fulfill needs that would otherwise prevent a student from attending school or from reaching their full potential. The fund is administered by the United Way of the Lowcountry HELPLINE, which works with school officials to directly remove financial barriers that stand in the way of a child’s education.
Mimi’s Closets
Women United’s newest education support initiative is Mimi's Closet, which offers essential school and personal supplies to students in need during the school year. The initiative’s goal is to create special teacher supply closets stocked with donated school and personal items at schools throughout the Lowcountry. In addition to school supplies, Mimi’s Closets contains basic needs items such as pullups for preschoolers; toothpaste and toothbrushes; sanitary wipes, soap and sanitary hygiene products; first aid supplies; and more. Mimi’s Closets are currently available at six elementary schools, with plans to expand the initiative to additional schools with underserved students in the future.