I/WE Award winners share their excitement with Dean Alyssa Ayres (middle row, fourth from right) and members of the I/WE Executive Circle.
When Elliott School of International Affairs senior Carla Dell’Angelica headed to the George
Washington University from her hometown of Los Angeles, she had already decided to focus
her career on advancing women’s rights around the world. In pursuit of this goal, she has taken
classes on women in Africa, women in Latin America, and on the anthropology of gender.
Carla has held work-study jobs each semester to help fund her education. But this semester,
Carla decided to take a risk. She accepted an unpaid internship with a non-profit that protects
rights and promotes opportunities for women in Latin American nations. “Internships provide
essential career experience, but they can be an added stress for students who, like me, usually
spend the semester working a paid job to help make ends meet,” she explained in her
application for the award.
On November 14, Carla breathed a sigh of relief. She is one of 25 Elliott School students to
receive a new award supporting students dedicated to advancing the role of women in the field
of international affairs. The I/WE Student Award, established by the International Women of
Elliott (I/WE) Executive Circle, provides assistance to students with financial need whose career
goals align with the group’s mission: to expand the role of women in the international affairs
profession.
To that end, all gifts to I/WE are dedicated to support graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships for Elliott students committed to the advancement of women in international affairs. There are no restrictions on eligibility, and applicants are asked to write about their interest in advancing women’s leadership in international affairs.
“I’m extremely honored to receive this award to support my unpaid internship at the League of
United Latin American Citizens,” Carla said. “It will allow me to focus on my studies and
internship, so that I can be the best candidate for my post-graduation job and future
endeavors.”
The awards are competitive: more than 90 undergraduate and graduate students applied. The
Elliott School was able to offer awards to nearly a third of applicants, for a total of $118,300 in
support. Those chosen are students who demonstrate a clear commitment to amplifying the
voices of women in the foreign policy space, as well as financial need.
The awards also are a milestone in the work of the I/WE Executive Circle and a landmark
moment for the Elliott School.
“We are so thrilled to see our growing I/WE community champion the role of women in
international affairs,” said Elliott School Dean Alyssa Ayres. “The I/WE Student Awards are
central to this goal, with direct impact on the next generation. This is National Scholarship
Month, and we are delighted to be able to offer assistance to 25 outstanding Elliott School
students – all thanks to the support of our I/WE members.”
Members of the International Women of Elliott Executive Circle, a group of more than two
dozen leaders in international policy and economics, also had a chance to talk with this next
generation of women leaders.
“I was truly impressed with the quality of the applicants, and I particularly enjoyed learning
about the goals they have for their careers – especially the impact they hope to have on
increasing women’s participation in international affairs policymaking or bettering the
livelihoods of women all around the world,” noted Alexandra Garcia, MIPP ’14.
Tanya Haden, a graduate student concentrating on global communications, is one of 11
graduate students who received an I/WE fellowship. In her application, Tanya wrote that she
joined an Asian-interest sorority as an undergraduate, “because I strongly believed in their
work to help women struggling with domestic violence.”
At the Elliott School, “I am learning how to advance the role of women in global society through
media,” Tanya added. She plans to continue this pathway, earning a PhD and becoming a
professor. “Media has consistently characterized women in a manner that reinforces archaic
gender roles. I wish to use my position to inform women of how we can shape our global
society to enhance gender equality.”
Contributions to the I/WE Awards build on GW’s commitment to opening doors to higher
education and make a world of difference for students to pursue their dreams at the Elliott
School.