Young women from 54 Kentucky counties in the Appalachian Regional Commission area are being invited to apply for six science, technology, engineering, and math-related college scholarships. The funding comes from the Carol Barr Fund with substantial support from the private Murry Foundation. It’s being coordinated by the American Heart Association. AHA Central and Eastern Kentucky Director Andrea Ooten said STEM studies tie directly into heart disease issues.
“Right now, the statistics show that currently, women occupy about 47% of all U.S. jobs, but only 24% of jobs in STEM-related fields. And we know by 2030 half of the vacant STEM jobs will probably be in the health sector,” said Ooten.
Three $10,000 scholarships, renewable for up to four years, and three one-year $2500 scholarships will be awarded to Eastern Kentucky young women. The application deadline is March 12. Eastern Kentucky University is offering housing for scholarship recipients. The fund is named for Carol Barr who was the wife of Sixth District Congressman Andy Barr. She died of a rare heart ailment, mitral valve prolapse, in June of 2020.