MADISON, Wis.–The World Council of Credit Unions’ Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) said it has awarded four scholarships to industry women to join the Network and to provide opportunities for professional development, networking and skill diversification.
The 2020 scholarship winners include:
- Mbiba Joyce Mpopii, board chairperson, Wa Worker’s Co-Operative Credit Union, Ghana
- Joselita Cardona, CEO, Most Holy Rosary Multipurpose Cooperative, Philippines
- Griselda Spencer, VP Accounting, Star of Texas Credit Union, USA
- Joan Atuhurra, head of finance and administration, African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA), Uganda
At the Core of Solutions
“Now more than ever GWLN must continue to invest in credit union women who find themselves at the core of solutions for their homes and communities,” said Lena Giakoumopoulos, program director for the Global Women’s Leadership Network. “Layered on top of existing inequalities, the COVID-19 crisis has intensified vulnerabilities women already face.”
GWLN reported it received a record number of applications since the program began in 2009 from women with diverse financial and socio-economic backgrounds in credit union systems around the globe.
“Today, families encounter heightened tensions, financial uncertainties and other pressures during this pandemic affecting all people, but women are being challenged by having to juggle work and online home schooling and caretaking for family members. They also face a disproportionate amount of domestic violence and mental health issues,” said Giakoumopoulos.
Winners Offered a Choice
The Global Women’s Leadership Network said this year’s scholarship winners are being offered a choice between participating in the 2020 Executive Readiness Summit in Madison, Wis., or the 2021 World Credit Union Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
For the 2020 Executive Readiness Summit, scholarship winners receive:
- A complimentary one-year membership to the Global Women’s Leadership Network
- An all-expense paid trip to attend the 2020 Executive Readiness Summit, Madison, Wis.
- A complimentary registration to a two-day workshop focused on connecting credit union women to build critical skills, personal leadership, networking and expanding knowledge to support and equip executive-track women in their career journey and inspire new insights and action.
For the 2021 World Credit Union Conference, winners receive:
- A complimentary registration to the 2021 World Credit Union Conference, co-hosted with the Association of British Credit Unions Limited
- An all-expense paid trip to attend 2021 World Credit Union Conference
- A complimentary one-year membership to the Global Women’s Leadership Network.
64 Scholarships to Date
Since 2009, GWLN has awarded 64 scholarships to women from 24 countries.
Scholarships are made possible through funding from annual membership donations and sponsorships, including the generous support of CUNA Mutual Group, PSCU and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund supported by One AZ Credit Union, GWLN said.