Leah Meister of Bonners Ferry was one of the four Idaho women who were awarded the Gladys Bales Scholarship for  $1,000. 

“I was  stunned and delighted,” said Meister. “I am really grateful that they selected me and I am very honored.”

Meister attends North Idaho College. She said the scholarship will help pay for classes she is taking. Meister plans to graduate with an AAS degree in medical billing in December 2011.

The 2010-2011 Gladys Bales Scholarship Winners were  announced by Idaho State Business and Professional Women.

This is the first year of the Gladys Bales Scholarship program, which was made possible by a generous donation by former president of Idaho State BPW Gladys Bales.

The other winners are Tiphanie Evans of Pocatello, Lori Anaya of Coeur d’Alene, and Mistala Miller of St. Maries.

The Gladys Bales Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to Idaho women seeking new job skills, training, and educational opportunities. This scholarship is a continuing education scholarship for Idaho women and can be used at an accredited university, college, or technical institute.

The BPW organization will be offering another scholarship opportunity for the next school year in the spring which will be near “Equal Pay Day”  in April.

“Announcing our scholarship on Equal Pay Day will serve two purposes,” said Idaho State BPW President Gail Miller, “It helps bring focus to women’s challenge of equal pay and helps bridge the current wage gap in Idaho by offering assistance in obtaining a degree.”

 For information visit www.idahostatebpw.org.