| |
CWLA's Foster Youth Advisory Council Member Named One of Glamour's Top 10 US College Women
For more information, contact
Joyce Johnson
Phone: 804/492-4519
Cell: 703/980-7641
E-mail: jjohnson@cwla.org
October 11, 2004, Washington, DC -- Madeline Burgess, 21, a graduate student at Rhode Island College and a member of the Child Welfare League of America's (CWLA) National Foster Youth Advisory Council (NFYAC), was recently named one of Glamour's Top 10 US College Women. Burgess was selected for the award because of her dedication to and passion for helping youth overcome the odds of the foster care system.
Now in its 47th year, Glamour's Top 10 College Women Awards spotlights women from across the country with an annual competition that recognizes campus leadership, community involvement, academic excellence, as well as each candidate's unique and inspiring personal goals. Each winner receives: a cash prize of $2,500; a trip to New York to attend the annual awards ceremony; opportunities to meet and network with top professionals in a variety of fields; national recognition in the October 2004 issue of Glamour magazine; and a gift basket from L'Oreal Paris, the exclusive sponsor of the program with Glamour for the fifth consecutive year.
In previous years, the awards have been conferred to young people such as the first woman accepted on the Harvard Crimson editorial staff, the first Hispanic woman to win a Rhodes scholarship, and the first female brigade commander at the US Naval Academy. For Madeline Burgess, who spent eight months in the Rhode Island state foster care system, to be included among the ranks of these extraordinarily accomplished women is no small feat.
Burgess has vowed to spend her life helping teens in state care. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College (RIC) in 2004 and is now pursuing a Masters in Social Work from RIC so that she can become an even stronger advocate for children, youth, and families. Burgess also founded Youth RYSING (Rhode Island Youth Speaking, Initiating, Negotiating, and Generating Change), a group that aims to empower foster youth to advocate for themselves with policy-makers and legislators.
Burgess is also an active member of CWLA's National Foster Youth Advisory Council, a diverse national group of current and former foster youth and adult supporters from several states who have had direct experience with the child welfare systems.
"We extend our deepest and most sincere congratulations to Madeline Burgess for her commitment to helping youth in foster care overcome adversity and evolve into productive, contributing members of society-just as she has done. Glamour magazine is also to be commended for reaching out and recognizing the talents, strengths, courage, and personal life experience of a youth in foster care," says Shay Bilchik, CWLA President and CEO.
Please look for Madeline Burgess and all 10 of Glamour's Top 10 US College Women in the October 2004 issue of Glamour magazine.
The National Foster Youth Advisory Council (NFYAC)
The National Foster Youth Advisory Council (NFYAC) is a diverse national group of current and former foster youth and adult supporters from several states who have had direct experience with the child welfare systems. The council's purpose is to provide a voice for and make a difference in the lives of youth currently in care and support their successful transitions into adulthood. Council members have opportunities to address many of the negative perceptions and stereotypes about youth in foster care through training, public speaking, and developing and disseminating information and resources.
 Back to Top  Printer-friendly Page  Contact Us
|
|
