Did you know that women represent 87% of the recipients in long term care?

Did you know 97% of the caregivers in long term care are female?

Women are under-represented in all areas of decision making in long term care and are, therefore, disproportionately affected by public policy. Many women face barriers to receiving the care they need. We are the only national association providing a voice for women in long term care.

NEWS

2008 COWL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
For the third straight year COWL will be awarding educational scholarships. The purpose of these scholarships is to promote nursing careers in long term care and to promote advancement and career ladder opportunities for certified nursing assistants and nurses wishing to advance their education. Download 2008 Scholarship Application.

COWL PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE 2007 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
For the fourth consecutive year, COWL is proud to issue scholarships to deserving caregivers who want to further their education and career in long term healthcare. The COWL board of directors reviewed more than 40 applications and was inspired by the stories of men and women dedicated to long term healthcare.

Along with the generous donations of McKesson Medical-Surgical, LTC Careers, LLC and a portion of COWL dues, two women were awarded scholarships totally $2500 this year.

Our $1500 dollar scholarship went to Christina Archer, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who works at the Colorow Care Center in Olathe, Colorado. Christina works part-time in order to fulfill her education requirements for the LPN to Associate of Applied Science Nursing Program at Mesa State College. She hopes to obtain her RN license by the end of 2007. Christina’s inspiration for becoming a nurse came from observing the unconditional love and care given to her by her foster parents, despite any differences that may have existed.

Our $1000 scholarship goes to Shavon Baker, an LPN from Northfield, Vermont. Shavon in a full-time student at Vermont Technical College targeted to graduate in May of 2008 with an associate degree as an RN. Since high school, Shavon has worked in the Mayo Healthcare nursing center, advancing her career as an LPN and graduating with high honors. It was then her mother experienced a serious car accident and Shavon began caring for her disabled mother as well as continuing her responsibilities at Mayo. Her director of nursing said in her recommendation letter, “Shavon has a cheerful demeanor and genuinely cares for the residents……she has a good rapport with her co-workers, residents and their family members.”

Please join me in congratulating these two outstanding caregivers and recipients of our 2007 scholarships. COWL is proud, as an organization, to be able to give back to those caregivers that work so hard everyday to make a difference in the lives of those they care for. 

Click here to download the 2008 Scholarship Application. Scholarship winners will be announced in July of 2008.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Register to Vote!
By Sharon Flippen-Edwards, VP Legislation

Have you registered so you can vote in the next election?   If you have not you will be ineligible to vote.  And, your vote does make a difference!

History reflects a couple of votes have won more than one election or defeated an important piece of legislation.  If politicians did not listen to people who vote, they would be out of a job.  The people we elect to office at all levels of government affect our daily lives at home and the workplace.
Learn more on how to register to vote .