Ruth Maddox Young Women in STEM award

Scholarship Sponsored by Zonta Club of Dallas

Ruth Maddox Young Women in STEM Award — Zonta Club of Dallas

Description
**Purpose and focus**
The Ruth Maddox Young Women in STEM Award is a local scholarship established to recognize and encourage women who use STEM skills to benefit their communities and to advance the status of women. It is administered by the Zonta Club of Dallas under the umbrella of Zonta International, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. The award highlights the combination of technical ability, leadership, volunteerism, and advocacy as a pathway to greater representation of women in STEM fields.
Key takeaways:
- Honors women who apply STEM skills to community and advocacy work
- Administered by Zonta Club of Dallas, aligned with Zonta International’s mission
- Emphasizes leadership, volunteerism, and advancing women in STEM

Eligibility
**Who qualifies**
Applicants must meet a set of clear criteria: they should be completing their final year of high school and have been accepted into a university-level STEM program. Candidates must demonstrate strong academic achievement and show an interest in advancing the status of women through STEM. The selection also looks for evidence of community volunteerism, leadership accomplishments, and advocacy for women in STEM.
Key takeaways:
- Final year high school students only
- Must have acceptance to a university-level STEM program
- Must demonstrate excellent academic performance
- Should document volunteerism, leadership, and advocacy for women in STEM

Award Value
**Amount and recipients**
The Zonta Club of Dallas awards one recipient each cycle a monetary scholarship of $1,500. The award is intended to support the recipient’s transition to higher education in a STEM discipline.
Key takeaways:
- One recipient per award cycle
- Scholarship amount: $1,500

Application Timeline
**When to apply**
This award is offered annually, with applications due in April each year. Exact submission dates and application instructions can vary, so prospective applicants should confirm the current year’s deadline and requirements with the Zonta Club of Dallas.
Key takeaways:
- Annual award cycle
- Deadline: April (annually)
- Verify exact date and application details with Zonta Club of Dallas

History of the Award
**Namesake and legacy**
The award is named for Ruth Maddox, a long-time member of the Zonta Club of Dallas and an early female electrical engineering graduate from Southern Methodist University (SMU). Maddox earned her degree in 1948 and spent 38 years with Dallas Power & Light (now TXU), where she designed lighting systems for commercial and industrial buildings. The scholarship preserves her legacy by supporting young women pursuing STEM and encouraging their leadership and advocacy.
Key takeaways:
- Named for Ruth Maddox, third woman to earn an EE degree from SMU (1948)
- Maddox had a 38-year career at Dallas Power & Light/TXU designing lighting systems
- Award continues her legacy of women’s leadership in STEM and is unique to Zonta Club of Dallas