CAIR Michigan Seeks Essays for Rosa Parks Scholarship--Deadline March 26
In honor of the legacy of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, the Council on American Islamic Relations – Michigan (CAIR-MI) wishes to extend an invitation to all of Southeastern Michigan’s 11th and 12th grade high school students to enter a competition for a scholarship to their designated university or college. Four $500 scholarships will be awarded this year. Two will be offered to best essays from 11th graders who consider furthering their education at any educational institution. Another two will be awarded to 12th graders who will be attending University of Michigan – Dearborn Campus.
The essay should describe how the actions and legacy of Rosa Parks are relevant in today’s society, and what lessons we can use in the current civil rights’ challenges. We are looking for practical ideas that can be or have been implemented by the individual author. Entrants are due no later than Sunday, March 16, 2008. For quick deliver, email or fax them first, then send the hard copy in postal mail.
Application Requirements
–Two recently dated letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors or employers.
–A 750 word essay. Two copies of a double spaced, 12 font Arial, typed manuscript. An electronic version should be sent in MS Word or PDF format. Please do not include any identifying information such as name, address, school or phone number in the manuscript pages. This information is ONLY on the application page.
–Copy of last report card showing a 2.8 GPA or better from your school of attendance.
–Completed application form.
–Must be a resident of Michigan.
–Recipients will be selected by a committee of three (3) who will not see any information about the applicants.
-All essays will become property of CAIR-Michigan
Rosa Parks, the “mother of the civil rights movement” was one of the most important citizens of the 20th century. Mrs. Parks was a seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama when, in December of 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger. The bus driver had her arrested. She was tried and convicted of violating a local ordinance.
Her act sparked a citywide boycott of the bus system by blacks that lasted more than a year. The boycott raised an unknown clergyman named Martin Luther King, Jr., to national prominence and resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation on city buses. Over the next four decades, she helped make her fellow Americans aware of the history of the civil rights struggle. This pioneer in the struggle for racial equality was the recipient of innumerable honors, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her example remains an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere. (Academy of Achievement)
CAIR-MI, the Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan, is an advocacy group dedicated to the promotion and defense of civil rights and the image of Muslims through the use of grassroots activism, mediation, the media, education and the law.
CAIR-MI’s vision is to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding. Our mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
For Info and Application:
CAIR-Michigan
21700 Northwestern Hwy.
Suite 1199 – Tower 14
Southfield, MI 48075
Tel–248-559-2247
Fax–248-559-2250