SHATTER GLASS CEILINGS, SHATTER STEREOTYPES
Empowering young women to chase their educational dreams
Supporting the Next Generation of Female Leaders
Chris Trapper In Concert - December 12, 2026
Join your hosts, Westwood Living Publisher and Women's Empowerment Scholarship Board Member Tom Leyden, along with Joshua & Anita Fink from Annabelle Meadows Farm, as we celebrate 8+ years of success and philanthropy.
During this exciting time as Bailey and Jake Bailey expect their first child, we keep the spirit of our Kick Off The Holidays Party alive with a special, intimate performance by Westwood's very own Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Chris Trapper, to benefit The Women's Empowerment Scholarship.
The event will feature a cocktail hour, beginning at 6:30pm, with the live performance starting at 8pm.
A favorite of Hollywood's music supervisors, Chris's songs have appeared in such films as, "The Devil Wears Prada," "There's Something About Mary," and his song, "This Time," was the number one selling song on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack for "August Rush," starring Robin Williams and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Each admission ticket includes access to our cocktail hour, hors d'oeuvres, complimentary wine, beer and signature cocktails. Join us on the red carpet for photos, participate in our Empowerment Raffle and bid on some of our special auction items.
All proceeds from this special performance will benefit The Women's Empowerment Scholarship, founded by Bailey Bailey in 2018.
Important Note: Annabelle Meadows Farm is a private establishment, and the venue is not handicap accessible. We regret any inconvenience this might cause.
2026 Women's Empowerment Scholarship Gala
Thank you to the 170 people who joined us for the 2026 Women's Empowerment Scholarship Gala on Saturday, February 28, 2026. We were thrilled to set a new record for us, raising more than $50,000 while honoring our Scholarship Class of 2025-26. With more than 500 applications submitted each year, there are so many more women we can help, so if you enjoyed the evening, please spread the word to your business colleagues so we can welcome more sponsors and make an even greater impact.
We are very grateful to the staff at Caveau, a fantastic venue, as well as Mikey V and Danny T, who once again did a great job for us. Also, thank you to our volunteers, Ashley, MacKenzie, Susan and Asanka.
All proceeds from the Women's Empowerment Scholarship Gala will benefit The Women's Empowerment Scholarship, founded by Bailey Bailey. There is still time to support our mission by clicking the pink button!
About Us
Our Mission
As a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, The Women's Empowerment Scholarship serves to empower females by encouraging and enabling them to pursue higher education. Our foundation provides educational grants to women throughout New England while paying special attention to women entering into one of many male-dominated career paths, including, but not limited to, science, technology, engineering, finance, and law. In aiding women financially, the Women's Empowerment Scholarship team aims to propel their careers and allow them to shatter any and all glass ceilings and stereotypes.
Get To Know Our Founder - Bailey Medeiros
Bailey is the President and Founder of The Women's Empowerment Scholarship. After graduating as Salutatorian from Monson High School in 2015, Bailey went on to study Finance, Communication, and Legal Studies at Bryant University. In 2019, she finished 9th in her class with Summa Cum Laude honors. In 2022, Bailey obtained her Juris Doctor at Boston University School of Law. Bailey was Miss Massachusetts Teen USA in 2014, placing in the Top 15 at the national Miss Teen USA competition. Additionally, she was an NFL Cheerleader for the New England Patriots from 2016-2018, representing the Patriots at Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas and Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently, Bailey owns and operates her own estate planning law firm, Bailey Legacy Law. Learn more about Bailey by visiting the "My Story" tab.
2025-26 Women's Empowerment Scholarship Recipients
Joanna Papadakis
Joanna Papadakis
Joanna Papadakis is an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School and holds a B.S. from Cornell University. While at Cornell, she participated in maternal postpartum mental health and global child health research and served as a Cornell Tradition Fellow and Patient Advocate, which sparked her interest in pursuing a career in medicine in the service of others. To this end, she received a Davis Projects for Peace grant to further her work in women’s empowerment and maternal refugee health after college and was awarded the Robinson Appel Humanitarian Grant for her work as a founding member of Preemie-to-Premed, a nonprofit supporting Child Life Programs during pandemic-related funding restrictions in Boston.
Ju-Woo Nho
Joanna Papadakis
Ju-Woo Nho is a first-year medical student at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She has always been passionate about the intersection between medicine and research, profoundly influenced by the guidance of exceptional women mentors whose work breaks barriers in science. She aspires to become a surgeon-scientist and leader who empowers women in healthcare and helps build inclusive pathways for future generations. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys playing basketball and baking for friends and family.
Sasha Marino
Sasha Marino is a freshman at Assumption University and resident of Westwood. She is enrolled in the Pre-Law and Honors programs, in addition to being a center on the hockey team. Sasha is happy to be making a difference in her community at school by being a part of the Campus Activity Board along with taking a community service-centered Spanish class, with a project focused on teaching/providing literature to Spanish-speaking foster kids in Worcester.
Grace Grammatico
Amelia Vander May
Grace Grammatico is a first-year student at Yale University, where she studies Political Science and History. An aspiring future lawyer, she plans to attend law school following graduation. At Yale, Grace is an active member of the Undergraduate Moot Court Team and Student Association for Small Claims Assistance. She also participates in Yale Model Congress and rides with the Yale Equestrian Team. She is proud to be a recipient of the Women’s Empowerment Scholarship, which will continue to support her goals.
Amelia Vander May
Amelia Vander May
Amelia Vander May
Amelia attends Tufts University, where she plans to double major in Political Science and Civic Studies. She is passionate about activism and social change, and is currently working as the social media manager for Indivisible Somerville as well as a producer for TEDxTufts. After college, Amelia hopes to make a lasting impact on her community by founding her own nonprofit dedicated to empowering underrepresented communities, protecting the rights of women and children, and developing policies that create a more equitable society.
Yiru Wang
Amelia Vander May
Amelia Vander May
Yiru Wang is a Psychology and Statistics major at Mount Holyoke College, where she combines research and advocacy to improve educational and mental health equity. She leads an IRB-approved project using expressive writing to reduce math anxiety, and she founded the “Speak Out” campaign against gender-based violence. Yiru plans to pursue a PhD in psychology to develop evidence-based interventions that reduce the disproportionate psychological burdens created by structural and environmental inequities.
Molly Szado
Molly Szado is a first-year Honors student at Bryant University majoring in Psychology with a strong interest in Human Resources and business leadership. She recently completed a 4.0 semester and earned President’s List distinction. Molly also proudly supports LinkUnite, an organization whose mission closely aligns with the Women's Empowerment Scholarship. She works towards spreading this movement across campus in any way possible.
Jasmine Huang
Jasmine Huang is from Braintree. She graduated in three years from Bridgewater State with a B.S. in Aviation Science, concentrating in Aviation Management, graduating summa cum laude. She earned her Private Pilot License at Alpha One Flight and continued professional flight training, earning an Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), CFI–Instrument, and Commercial Multi-Engine rating. She is currently continuing advanced flight training and her long-term goal is to earn her Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and fly as a medevac pilot for Boston MedFlight.
Mia Sinno Smith
Mia Smith is a first year student at Brown University. She intends to major in neuroscience because she’s fascinated by the intersections between biology, chemistry, math, and computer science. She aspires to later pursue a career as a researcher because she is thrilled by new discoveries. Mia is also passionate about her activities outside of the classroom, which include biological research, acting, playwriting, sailing, surfing, and swimming. She is currently serving on an international neuroscience journal review team, an active member of her college’s AI Safety Team, and a volunteer author for a nonprofit publishing children’s books.
Madisyn Koza
Madisyn Koza is an undergraduate student at Brown University. She graduated from Greater Lowell Technical High School, where she completed the Information Technology Services program, earning over 30 technical certifications, completing multiple internships, and winning the Congressional App Challenge.
Sarahluna Sassine
From Westwood, Sarahluna Sassine is a first-year student at Harvard College, tentatively interested in integrative biology or biomedical engineering, with a minor in government. At Harvard, Sarahluna is looking to expand her community impact by becoming a member of the College’s UNICEF chapter and helping educate greater-Boston elementary schools through the Institute of Politics’ Civics Program. In a future career serving public health, Sarahluna plans to advocate for women’s representation in medicine, where constant ostracization pushes women away from getting accurate treatment where research was based on men.
Haley Gilland
Haley Gilland, from Ridgefield, Connecticut, is a first-year student-athlete at Williams College, majoring in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience. She is also a member of the women’s lacrosse team. Athletically, Haley has competed at the highest levels. She represented Italy at the 2024 U20 Women’s World Lacrosse Championships as a starting defender. Driven by her passion for pediatric medicine and neuroscience research, Haley aspires to pursue an MD/PhD and a career advancing patient care and scientific discovery.
Sophie Baldwin
Sophie Baldwin
Sophie Baldwin is a freshman at Brown University, studying Health & Human Biology in the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME). She also enjoys exploring classes in Psychology and Anthropology alongside the natural sciences. At Brown, she is a member of the Women's Club Soccer Team, Community Health Advocacy Program, and Brown-RISD Arab Society. In the future, she aspires to become an anesthesiologist and give back to the community.
Previous Scholarship Recipients
2024
Celebrated in December, 2024 at Mariel Underground
2023
Celebrated in December, 2023 at Mariel Underground
2022
Celebrated in December, 2022 at Mariel Underground
2020 & 2021
Celebrated in December, 2021 at Davio's Seaport
2019
2019
Celebrated in December, 2019 at Davio's Back Bay
Welcome To The Family, Mary Lou
Westwood High School Graduate Earns Women's Empowerment Scholarship
Mary Lou Cocivera, who recently graduated from Westwood High School, earned a $2,000 academic grant as a recipient of a 2026 Women’s Empowerment Scholarship, awarded during Senior Day festivities. The grant was made possible through the generosity of The Rotary Club of Westwood, which provides funds to our scholarship foundation with the intention of recognizing and supporting a young woman from Westwood who plans to pursue a career in a field typically dominated by males.
Mary Lou will attend The University of Michigan next year and pursue a career in medicine. Her focus on nursing, outstanding achievement in the classroom, robust resume of extra-curricular activities and track record of volunteering set Mary Lou apart from a very competitive field.
In her application essay, Mary Lou wrote, “I attended Harvard Medical School’s MEDscience Program, an intense, fast-paced immersion in human anatomy and clinical practice. In simulation labs, I learned to maintain composure while treating patients with life-threatening injuries. I practiced skills like suturing and inserting IVs, and I found that I thrive in these high-pressure environments. The precision required to save lives energizes me. Beyond the lab, I have empowered myself through volunteerism at a local nursing home. By spending hours listening to residents share their life stories, I learned that healing a patient’s soul is just as vital as healing their body. These experiences provided me with the emotional and technical foundation to succeed in a demanding university healthcare program.
“My participation in a service trip to the Dominican Republic to volunteer at the Mariposa Center for Girls also profoundly shaped my understanding of how to empower others. The Mariposa Center is dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by providing girls with a safe space to grow and learn. While teaching math and reading, I was struck by the girls’ unrestrained joy and resilience despite significant hardships. They taught me that true leadership involves maintaining optimism in the face of setbacks. This is a quality I intend to carry into my nursing career.”
“I envision empowering future generations of women by being a leader in the healthcare space who advocates for both patient education and professional mentorship. Through my upcoming studies at The University of Michigan, I plan to master the complex science of nursing while advocating for women’s health and wellness. By utilizing the resilience I learned at Mariposa and the academic foundation I will build at Michigan, I aim to help other women rise above their own obstacles. Whether they are navigating health crises or pursuing their own paths in science and medicine, I am committed to being a healthcare provider who inspires the next generation of women to meet challenges with strength.”
Congratulations Mary Lou, and thank you to The Rotary Club of Westwood. Good luck at Michigan. We’ll be following your journey.
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