GREENSBURG, PA- The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) and the Verizon Foundation announced the award of a $16,000 grant by the Verizon Foundation for a scholarship fund for Women Overcoming Adversity (WOA). Applicants for the WOA scholarship must currently attend or be accepted at Seton Hill College or one of the following institutions:, Chatham College, College Misericordia, Gannon University, Immaculata College, Marywood University, Villanova University and Wilson College. “We are delighted that Verizon recognizes the need of the young women in Pennsylvania,” JoAnne Boyle, President of Seton Hill College, said. “This is an significant step to ensure that every young woman in Pennsylvania is given an opportunity to benefit from a college education. Seton Hill look forward to participating in this most important program.” The WOA scholarship program was developed in conjunction with a series of events called “Celebration of Pennsylvania Women 2000,” held November at eight independent colleges and universities across the state. These scholarships will support the cost of education for women who are overcoming substantial adversity in their lives in order to attend college. The Celebration events were a result of the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Commission for Women, presidents and staff at the eight participating private colleges, House Speaker Matthew J. Ryan and AICUP. They commemorate the 101 women who have served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and recognized the leadership of talented women in such fields as business, the labor movement, the environment and government. These women were celebrated as pioneers and role models, and hopefully inspired young students to serve their state, nation and community in the future. The Celebration events highlighted the frequent challenges and adversity that women have historically faced as they work in their communities, business and government. For many women, challenge and adversity are not things of the past.