Writers' League of Texas ScholarshipsThe
Writers' League of Texas awards scholarships to aspiring journalists and writers
annually. The awards are issued annually by the League's Bess Whitehead Scott
scholarship committee, which was named for one of the state's pioneering women
journalists. Scott, who lived to be 107, wrote a book late in life about her career
in newspaper reporting, teaching and advertising. Upcoming Deadlines Bess
Whitehead Scott Journalism Scholarship - The $1,500 award is granted annually
to a junior or senior university student pursuing a degree in journalism or a
related field. The 2010 scholarship has been awarded; application may be made
for the 2011 scholarship.
Deadline: February 4, 2011 Scott
Scribes Scholarship for Adults Ages 40 and Over - The $1,500 award is granted
annually to a woman or man age 40 or over pursuing
study or a degree in journalism, writing or a related field. The 2010 scholarship
has been awarded; application may be made for the 2011 scholarship.
Deadline:
February 4, 2011 See the 2009 BWS Scholarship
recipients. For more information about the scholarships, contact Elaine
Davenport at 512.264.9210 or WrtAudShop@aol.com. About
Bess Whitehead Scott "Write!" was the advice of Bess Whitehead
Scott to aspiring writers. "Just don't waste time. Don't read too many articles
about writing. The main thing is to write. No matter whether you do it well or
not - WRITE. Give some time every day of the world, if it's not but thirty minutes,
to use your mind for whatever you're working on. ALWAYS be working on something." Bess
Whitehead Scott received numerous awards during her life and was recognized for
her accomplishments by several organizations. She was named in 1994 to the Texas
Women's Hall of Fame for her pioneering spirit as a journalist and writer. Recognized
in 1992 as a Distinguished Alumna of Baylor University 80 years after her graduation,
she also was honored in 1992 as an Outstanding Alumna from the University of Mary
Hardin-Baylor, which she attended the first three years of college. Her
career started in 1915. Having no background in newspaper work, she landed a job
at The Houston Post as the first woman news reporter in Houston. Her
career at the Post spanned 25 years, but her accomplishments extended beyond
news reporting. One of her many accomplishments was encouraging a young student,
Felton West, to enter the newspaper business in the 1940s. He worked for The
Houston Post for 53 years. West died in 2005 after serving many years on
the scholarship committee. She taught journalism at Milby High School in
Houston, wrote two journalism textbooks, traveled to Hollywood where she wrote
screenplays for two-reel silent movies, and ran an advertising firm during World
War II. Texas A & M University Press published her autobiography You Meet
Such Interesting People in 1989 when Bess was 99 years old. In 1990
when Scott reached 100, the Writers' League of Texas honored her with a celebration.
At that time a scholarship was established in her name. The Bess Whitehead Scott
Journalism Scholarship is awarded annually to an upper level journalism major.
A second scholarship for writers age 40 and older was established in 2000. Scott
died December 27, 1997, at the age of 107. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence
and diligence in the field of journalism as a model for students today. | 
