Senator Rosa Franklin, the first African American woman to serve in the Washington State Senate, represented the 29th Legislative District in Pierce County from 1991-2011.
Prior to serving as a legislator Senator Franklin worked as a registered nurse for over 40 years, earning degrees from the University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University, and a Health Care Specialist Certificate from the University of Washington. After serving one term in the House of Representatives from 1991-1993, Senator Franklin was appointed to the Senate and subsequently elected. She served as a Senator until her retirement in 2011.
During her time with the Legislature, Senator Franklin served as President Pro Tempore and focused her work on equity in education, housing, and healthcare. A longtime resident of Tacoma, Senator Franklin continues to dedicate her time to her community.
The Rosa Franklin Legislative Internship Program Scholarship was created during the 2021 legislative session with Senate Bill 5431. It is intended to support applicants who demonstrate financial need. Due to the recent implementation of the scholarship program, funds will be allocated based on availability. All applicant information will be kept confidential, and the award process will be administered in a discrete and respectful manner. Awards are determined based on need and will be distributed over the course of the legislative session monthly.
Applying for this scholarship does not impact applicant acceptance into the Legislative Internship Program. Scholarship applications must be received no later than October 27th, 2024 for consideration.