Carol Dunlap Reiser (1951-2002) went where there was no path and left a trail for others to follow. She challenged herself and others by doing things that had not been done before and doing them successfully - she saw promise and created possibilities.

The Carol Dunlap Reiser YWCA College Woman of Achievement Scholarship award is a special tribute in memory of our dear friend, Carol Reiser - community leader, YWCA Academy member, and former Board of Directors member. This scholarship was created in 2002 [with the support of Rich’s-Macy’s where Carol worked for over 20 years] to honor her passion of programs - from theater to technology - to engage and encourage young people to make positive life choices, graduate from high school and continue their academic careers in college.

The $2500 scholarship is awarded annually to a young woman striving to achieve academic success and who has demonstrated a commitment of service to her education and community. Applicants must be current or past participants in a YWCA leadership or educational program such as Teen Girls in Technology (TGI Tech) or Empowered Youth Entertainment (EYE). The TGI Tech program raises girls’ [ages 12-18] interest, confidence and competence in science technology, engineering and math (STEM), while helping them develop critical thinking and problem solving skills through leadership projects. EYE is a diversity education program for youth [ages 13-19] that uses drama as a means of exploring attitudes toward discrimination, intolerance and prejudice - participants develop and perform productions for area middle school students, and also are trained to facilitate peer discussions.

When Carol’s mother, Jean Dunlap, died of breast cancer in 1997, it was the YWCA of Greater Atlanta that Carol selected to create a fund in her mother’s name. Both she and her mother were champions of the YWCA’s mission of empowering women and girls that they may reach their full potential.

Each year, the scholarship is awarded at the annual Salute to Women of Achievement.  The 2011 recipient is Kaylah Hogan.