In celebration of women of color pursuing higher education, American rapper and singer-songwriter, Megan Thee Stallion, announced the creation of her ‘Don’t Stop Scholarship Fund’ on Thursday, October 8 of this year. Across the globe, women of color working towards an associates, bachelors or post-graduate degree in any field of study were encouraged to apply.

Due to a website crash within minutes of the announcement due to the influx of submissions, the scholarship was given to only two winners. Both received $10,000 towards furthering their education. Mercer County Community College’s very own, Maria Gonzales, was one of the lucky winners.

Post made to the official Megan Thee Stallion Instagram account announcing the winners.

Maria Gonzales is studying Criminal Justice at Mercer County Community College. An active member in the county, she is also the former Membership Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County.

As stated on the application website, “women remain underrepresented and undervalued in society and female students of color are at a larger disadvantage when it comes to access to financial resources.”

Megan Thee Stallion understands the importance of education. Unbeknownst to many, she herself is a current senior at Texas Southern University pursuing a degree in health administration.

“I want to get my degree because I really want my mom to be proud,” she said in an interview with People magazine in June of 2020. “She saw me going to school before she passed. I’m doing it for me, but I’m also doing it for the women in my family who made me who I am today.”

When the winners were announced on November 19, comments flooded Megan Thee Stallion’s social media posts congratulating the women. A fellow musician, Lauren Jauregui, best known for being a member for the all-girl pop group, Fifth Harmony, commented fire emoticons expressing her excitement for the winners.

A Latasha Phelps commented in all caps, “The fact that somebody from Mercer County Community College won is everything.” The comment was followed by 136 likes and multiple replies agreeing with the statement.

Mercer County is proud of Maria Gonzales for her achievement. Congratulations!

 

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