Equality NoVa Scholarship History

EQUALITY NoVa (formerly named AGLA) founded its scholarship in 2001 during its 20th anniversary year. By providing some of the resources necessary to attend college, EQUALITY NoVa has helped numerous high school students with a demonstrated commitment to LGBTQ+ equality. This scholarship is one of the demonstrable elements of EQUALITY NoVa’s commitment to our community and an opportunity to lend support to the youth. The scholarship has become a cherished tradition for the organization, celebrating student leadership and advocacy in local schools and beyond.

Each year, EQUALITY NoVa awards a $2,500 scholarship to an outstanding Arlington Public Schools senior. Scholarship recipients are selected based on their demonstrated accomplishments in support of Arlington Public Schools’ policies of diversity, fairness, safety, and equality, and/or their membership and activities in their schools’ Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). Over the years, the award has recognized young leaders who have made meaningful contributions to creating more inclusive and equitable school environments.

In 2014, EQUALITY NoVa held a special Scholarship Reception on May 8 at the home of Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola and Doug Weik. All proceeds from the event went directly to the EQUALITY NoVa scholarship fund, helping to expand its impact and ensure continued support for local students. With more than 50 community members in attendance, the evening was an outstanding success, featuring hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and beverages in a lively, standing-room-only space.

In her welcoming remarks, EQUALITY NoVa President Tiffany M. Joslyn shared that even before the event began, the Host Committee had pledged over $5,000 for the scholarship fund. Throughout the evening, many additional contributions were made, underscoring the deep community support for investing in youth. Joslyn expressed her gratitude to all donors, particularly recognizing Senator Favola and Doug Weik for opening their home, as well as Jon Fleming Photography and David Rowley of Minuteman Press for their generous in-kind contributions of photography, printed programs, and signage.

Virginia State Senator Favola welcomed guests and applauded them for their service to the community, acknowledging the many elected officials and civic leaders in attendance. She introduced the keynote speaker, Kisha Webster, Director of Education and Community Engagement for Welcoming Schools, a project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Webster spoke passionately about the work being done by Welcoming Schools and emphasized the importance of educating and training all faculty and staff, especially those in leadership or supervisory roles, on embracing diversity, avoiding gender stereotyping, affirming gender identity, and ending bullying and name-calling. She challenged the audience to support efforts to ensure that Arlington becomes the first school district in Virginia to be recognized as a Welcoming School, a designation that reflects a commitment to inclusive educational practices.

Leading up to the 2014 event, EQUALITY NoVa secured a diverse Host Committee that included a majority of Arlington’s elected officials, several candidates for public office, business and community leaders, longtime supporters, and many new friends. Together, the committee helped bring visibility to the scholarship initiative and reinforce the organization’s mission of promoting equality, inclusive school environments, and support for LGBTQ+ youth.

The scholarship fund, created in 2001, continues to uphold EQUALITY NoVa’s commitment to celebrating the leadership and advocacy of local students. It remains one of the most meaningful ways the organization supports and invests in the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders, reinforcing the values of diversity, fairness, and equity that are central to EQUALITY NoVa’s mission.

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About Equality NoVa: Equality NoVa (formerly known as AGLA) is the oldest continuously operating grassroots LGBTQ organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For decades, it has brought together LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to strengthen relationships, promote equality, and foster community through social events, civic engagement, and cultural programming.

Media Contact: Equality NoVa[Email Address][Phone Number]