Grace Stephens a senior at Western Kentucky University implemented the College Heights Herald’s first official video team so that other students like herself are able to find their stride like she did. However, due to a lack of funding she has had a tough time funding the group. Often times, Stephens’ staff has to shoot videos using their phones because they have no equipment to use. That will hopefully be a worry of the past, as she received a $39,900 Impact Grant from the WKU Sisterhood in order to buy several mirrorless cameras, new camera lenses, and other updated industry standard video equipment.
WKU student publications is one of five recipients of the 2022 WKU Sisterhood grant, and one of two Impact Grant winners. WKU Sisterhood is an organization of women, including WKU alumnae, faculty, staff and friends, that pools their money together every year in order to give back to university initiatives of their choice. Every member gives $1,000 for the ability to vote on which grant applications the organization will fulfill at their annual luncheon. They choose who receives the money after grant finalists give presentations on the impact the money would have for their cause.
Julie Harris Hinson, a co-founding member of the WKU Sisterhood said 2022 is a special year for the organization, as they have managed to surpass the 100 member milestone. The group was originally created back in 2010 with an initial grant of $36,000 and this year they have managed five grants totaling $96,057.38.
Herstory@WKU, a female empowerment program, also received $2,095 in order to fund their second event in February 2023. The first event they held was back in February of 2020, however, the program needed a community sponsor in order to make it annual. Herstory@WKU invites girls from first to eighth grade to take part in an afternoon of programming involving hands on activities, a costume contest as each girl’s favorite woman, and visits from local professional local women to show them the possibilities of different careers.
The goal is to celebrate women from the past, present, and future in order to empower girls to follow their passions and see themselves in a wider variety of professions. Today, the WKU Sisterhood has given 39 grants totaling $661,619.
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