Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship
established in 2018
Phyllis Marie Brackett: 7/10/1956 - 1/4/2018
Mission
The Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship, is a fund dedicated to providing financial support to African American, high school girls, from Monticello High School in Charlottesville, VA who will be attending college the following year. The scholarship assists the selected recipient in their transition from high school to college. The funds will cover the financial needs of the recipient as she prepares for her first year of college. This scholarship is not intended to pay for college tuition. Focusing on the needs of African American girls who are college bound but are also first generation college students, from a single parent household, and concerned about their ability to afford all aspects of the college experience, this scholarship is dedicated to closing an often unattended to gap of high school to college transition. The 501c3 status allows the organization to request donations that will build the stability of the scholarship fund and maintain the yearly award of at least one scholarship.
About the scholarship
This scholarship is named after and is in memory of my late mother who passed away in January 2018 from complications with breast cancer. One day driving with her in the summer of 2018, after hearing someone on the radio say they won $30,000,000 my mother asked me, "Toy, what would you do with $30,000,000?" I said a couple of things but most importantly, I said this: "I'd like to start a scholarship for girls like me." After my mother passed, I realized, why can't I create a scholarship. What is stopping me from helping girls like me?
This scholarship is a scholarship for the transition from high school to college. The period between high school graduation and welcome week of college can be more difficult for girls like me. An African American female, first generation, lower income, who focuses academically but still contends with the fact that she is the only one in her family to take on the journey of higher education. How do you pay for the travel to your new school? Who will pay for the items you need in your dorm room? Who will pay for a computer? What if you need something that you didn't prepare for ahead of time? This scholarship is for those things and more. It may be a small amount, in comparison to other scholarships, but this one goes to establishing a stable and well structured bridge for a new journey.
This Transition Scholarship will go to an African American young lady from Monticello High School, located in Charlottesville, Virginia every year. It is the girl like me scholarship. Click below to learn about recipients.
Phyllis with her daughter (founder of PMB) LaToya, circa 1985.
Phyllis and LaToya circa 2015.
Board of Directors
LaToya T. Brackett
LaToya is the daughter of Phyllis, and the founder of the scholarship.
Simone Brackett
Simone is the niece of Phyllis, and a dedicated secondary educator.
Macha O’Brien Townsend
Macha has been a great friend of the Brackett family for over a decade.
Zanetta Ford-Byrd
Zanetta has been a major advocate for student success, and a partner in the development of the scholarship.
2023 Scholarship
Recipient
In 2023 we have one recipient of the scholarship. We do hope to offer more than one scholarship every year, as we have in the past. Be sure to support us by donating and spreading the word.
Victoria T., 2023 PMB Scholar
Victoria Taylor
HS graduation year: 2023
High School: Monticello High School
Extracurricular Activities: Monticello Young Progressives President, and active in a Bee Preservation group at MHS.
University she will attend: James Madison University
What it means to go to college: One thing my mom always said is that no matter what someone may try to take away from you, they can’t take away what you know. Knowledge is power, sometimes the only power you have. So to be able to have a chance to obtain that power is truly a blessing.
What she plans to major in: I plan to major in Psychology on a PhD track with a minor in Women and Gender Studies.
A class she’d love to take in college: I would love to attend a class in relation to political science to broaden my knowledge and strengthen my ability to speak on political topics in the form of advocacy.
Her favorite thing to do: When given the opportunity my favorite way to spend my free time is hiking and enjoying the beautiful world around me.
Her role model: My biggest role model has been my sister Catherine. She’s led the way, as the first born in my family. Catherine was the one to figure out how to make it through the American school system. She showed me how to build my connections and keep them close. For that I will be forever grateful.
Someone she’d like to thank: I would like to thank Mrs. Kelly Lawrence, though she moved on from Monticello last year, she was the one to spark my interest in psychology. So I thank her for being the one to shine the light.
A place she’d love to visit: A goal of mine to visit Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all monetary donations are tax deductible.
Executive Director: LaToya Brackett, PhD | pmbscholarship@gmail.com
