The Leitalift Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in the Atlanta metro area, has established an endowed scholarship at Brenau University for female undergraduate students.
“On behalf of the university, I appreciate this extraordinary gift from the Leitalift Foundation to create a scholarship that will provide ongoing financial assistance for undergraduate women at Brenau,” Brenau President David L. Barnett, Ph.D., said.
The foundation was established in 1956 by Leita Thompson with the intention of using the foundation to help working women “lead a fuller life.” The mission of the foundation is to continue Thompson’s dream by offering financial assistance to women who are striving to achieve professional goals and contribute to their communities. Today, the foundation provides funds for deserving women to pursue rewarding careers and opportunities through 415 scholarships and grants.
The initial gift will be invested, and once the fund is fully endowed, scholarships will be awarded to female undergraduate students at Brenau who demonstrate financial need, are in good academic standing, and are from Georgia.
Born in 1894, Thompson taught for a number of years in Clayton County, Georgia, and then had a 40-year career at Atlanta National Bank as one of the first women in an executive banking position. Because of her struggles as a single working woman, Thompson wished to help other working women have a fuller life and established the Leitalift Foundation; she remained its president until her death in 1978.
This is at least the third scholarship established this year for Brenau students. You can read about the others at Brenau: 8 students awarded scholarships funded by Ivesters and here Brenau: Alexander family endows scholarship