Ruthie McIntyre was more than an educator; she was a bridge between generations, a keeper of stories, and a woman who used her voice to teach, inspire, and connect. A lifelong teacher and educational administrator, Ruthie spent decades shaping young minds, often using storytelling as her most powerful tool. What began as a natural part of her teaching became a lifelong passion after she discovered the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough. Over more than 20 years, she became a respected voice in the storytelling community, earning national recognition from the National Association of Black Storytellers with the prestigious Brother Blue Circle of Elders Award, an honor reserved for those whose presence and contributions leave a lasting impact.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Greater Knoxville Chapter proudly names its scholarship in honor of Ruthie McIntyre, who embodies the organization's core values: education, empowerment, cultural preservation, and community impact. This scholarship is more than a tribute; it is a continuation of her legacy. Just as Ruthie used storytelling to uplift and educate, this scholarship will support the next generation of young leaders, ensuring her spirit of wisdom, resilience, and inspiration endures.

Submission Instructions:
Submit your complete application packet by clicking the “Submit " button.

Award Amount:

Scholarship Amount Two Awards of up to $1,000 eaach
Before submitting, please ensure you have included:

• Completed Scholarship Application
• Essay Responses (all 3 questions; minimum 300 words each)
• One Letter of Recommendation
• Proof of College or Trade School Acceptance 

Application Deadline:
June 13, 2026

Important Notes:

• All materials must be uploaded and submitted at the same time
• Applicants must complete this application independently; the use of artificial intelligence tools or third-party assistance to generate responses is not permitted. Applicants may verify the originality of their responses using free detection tools such as GPTZero (https://gptzero.me/).
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered
• Be sure to review your application before clicking “Submit Application.”

Instructions:                                                                                                                                                             Answer all three questions. Each question should be answered using a min of 200 words and max of 500 words, and label the uploaded document: Last Name, First Name, Scholarship Questions

Question #1 - Scholarship Impact
Receiving a scholarship can be a transformative opportunity. Describe how this scholarship would not only support your educational goals but also reduce barriers or challenges you may face. How would you intentionally use these resources to invest in your future, and in what ways do you hope to pay that impact forward in your community or chosen field?

Question  #2- Community & Leadership
Describe a time when you stepped up to lead, inspire, or create change in your school or community. What challenge did you face, what actions did you take, and what impact did your leadership have on others? Reflect on how this experience shaped your growth and the kind of leader you are becoming.

Question #3- Advocacy
Advocacy is at the heart of creating lasting change in our communities. Describe an issue that you are passionate about (such as education, health equity, social justice, economic empowerment, or another cause). How have you used, or how do you plan to use, your voice, leadership, and actions to advocate for change? What impact do you hope to make, and why does this matter to you?

CERTIFICATION

 In submitting this application, I hereby certify the following:

1.     I understand that NCBW Greater Knoxville Chapter will evaluate all submissions and determine and announce the winner after the deadline. 

2.     I hereby certify that all of the information I have provided within the entire scholarship application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if any information submitted with the scholarship application is determined to be false or mislead­ing (including any omission of material information), I will be disqualified from consideration for the scholarship.

3.     I understand that I will be expected to attend a small awards cermony where my picture will be taken if selected to recieve this scholorship. 

4.     I give consent to allow NCBW Greater Knoxville Chapter use a photograph (or other likeness), as well as personal information about me (family, name, hometown, etc.), or statements for publicity purposes, which may include, but is not limited to, publication in newspapers, brochures, catalogs and the NCBW Greater Knoxville Chapter website.