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Power of the Written Word
(POWW) Scholarship

Purpose and Availability

The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated-Tau Delta Zeta Chapter are women committed to excellence in all areas of life. We strive tirelessly to exemplify the ideals of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood, as held by our illustrious Sorority. 

 

The Distinguished Pearls Foundation, created in partnership with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated - Tau Delta Zeta Chapter, is a charitable foundation dedicated to strengthening communities through outreach, service and promoting educational advancement in Prince George's County and surrounding communities.

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Supporting national and local programmatic initiatives, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated-Tau Delta Zeta Chapter and The Distinguished Pearls Foundation created this essay scholarship to encourage high scholarly achievement through writing and creative expression with college-bound young women.

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Through the Power of the Written Word essay scholarship, we challenge young women to define the noble and unique ideal of Finer Womanhood in relation to the examples of phenomenal women in their own lives and the women they aspire to be. 

Finer Womanhood - The Ideal

The ideal of Finer Womanhood originated in the minds of our Illustrious Founders:  Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Viola Tyler Goings, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, and Fannie Pettie Watts. To set Zeta women apart from all other women, the illustrious founders envisioned a quality that held Zetas to the highest standards of womanhood. A Finer Woman is a lady of high moral character, intelligence, resilience, faith, and courage. 

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Though a precept and personal foundation for women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Finer Womanhood is an ideal that all women should strive to attain; a Finer Woman's spirit is reflected in a woman's character, what she says and does, but most notably in how she lives daily.

Eligibility

An eligible applicant is considered someone who meets the following requirements:

  • A high school female senior student

  • A resident of Prince George's County, MD or daughter of a financial Tau Delta Zeta Chapter Member, or a member of the Tau Delta Zeta Archonette Club

  • Pursuing acceptance into an accredited four-year college or university

  • Has an overall grade point average of 2.5 (C+) or greater

  • Has not received any other scholarship from Tau Delta Zeta Chapter or The Distinguished Pearls Foundation

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Power of the Written Word does not discriminate in its selection policy based on race, color, creed, disability, national/ethic origin, religion, or sexual orientation.

Application Process

All information contained in this application will be considered confidential. 

  1. Submit an online application by clicking the button below.

  2. Essays should be between 300-600 words in length.

  3. Official high school transcripts must be submitted to tdzscholarship@zphibtdz.org.

  4. Obtain one letter of recommendation (from a high school faculty/administrator and/or from a community organization).

  5. Proof of community service.

  6. Upload a high school resume.

  7. Submit a completed scholarship application and supporting documents by Friday, January 24, 2025.

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Official high school transcripts must be provided directly to our email address, tdzscholarship@zphibtdz.org. 

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In addition, all applicants must submit their COMPLETE application packet, by the deadline date of Friday, January 24, 2025. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

 

Should there be any questions about completing the application, please contact tdzscholarship@zphibtdz.org. 

Checklist

Include in the submission:

  • Complete Online Application

  • Essay

  • Official high school transcripts must be submitted to tdzscholarship@zphibtdz.org by the due date

  • One (1) letter of recommendation (from a high school faculty/administrator and/or from a community organization).

  • Proof of community service

  • A high school resume

Submission Deadline

On the portal site, the completed scholarship application must be received by Friday, January 24, 2025 (including the most recent transcript and written essay). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Should there be any questions about completing the application, please contact tdzscholarship@zphibtdz.org.

Judging & Criteria

The Power of the Written Word Essay Scholarship Committee will evaluate essay submissions based on creativity, clarity, grammar, and format. The composition must appropriately execute the topic as mentioned above and adhere to the requested word length.

Notification

The essay winners will be notified in writing of the Scholarship Review Committee's decision by March 2025.

Additional Information

The scholarship(s) will be awarded in the amounts of $3,000.00, $2,000.00, and $1,500.00.

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Founds will be released upon receipt of proof of registration into a four-year college or university. Proof of registration must be on official college or university letterhead. Scholarship checks will be forwarded directly to the college/university and made payable in the scholarship recipient's name. This information should be sent to treasurer@distinguishedpearls.org.

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