Scholarship awarded to Malden students for advocacy efforts
The Honor of Service scholarship from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Creative Expressions Contest, held by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, was recently awarded to Mya and Deanna Cook of Malden.
Every year, Harvard Pilgrim holds an MLK Brunch & Service Day at which the $500 scholarship is awarded. Director of Service and Giving for the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, Janelle Woods-McNish, said this award is given to both honor Dr. King and those students who support his advocacy efforts. Woods-McNish added that these two sisters were awarded this scholarship because of their hard work regarding a policy at their school that greatly impacted them.
Displays in schools and the surrounding communities can be created by banner printing companies to enable people to learn more about such efforts and achievements.
Maura Healey, Attorney General for Massachusetts, also commented on the leadership of the two sisters, saying:
“They are already powerful advocates for social justice and we can’t wait to see all they will accomplish in the years to come.”
Woods-McNish said the two sisters also received a great deal of support from the community for their cause. They are very confident and articulate young women and this recognition is only the beginning of their lives as leaders in the community.
Deanna said that learning in history class about Martin Luther King Jr., and discovering how he used his voice to create change, served as their inspiration.