2020 Women's Empowerment Scholarship Recipient

Josephine is a freshman at Yale University, where she plans to study Urban Studies and Data Science. Originally from San Francisco, California, she attended Lowell High School, where she was a part of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program, Exhibition Drill Team, and the California Scholarship Federation. She rose through the ranks in JROTC to become her school's Battalion Commander and oversee programs citywide as the Brigade Adjutant.

Josephine's political engagement was inspired by the mission of her JROTC program- "To Motivate Young People to Become Better Citizens." Her drive to serve her community drove her to apply for appointment to the San Francisco Youth Commission, where she has served for two years, one as Chair. On the Commission, she hosted a local Youth Forum, advocated for expanding Miranda Rights protections to all youth, and supported the campaign to close San Francisco's, Juvenile Hall. 

She is a founding member and Director of Strategic Partnerships for GENup, a California youth-led education advocacy coalition. Additionally, she has worked on campaigns to pass the California Youth Empowerment Act (AB 1858) and elect progressive candidates to local and state offices.

We are pleased to award Josephine with a $1,000 scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year.