Real Women Essay Contest

A Creative Writing Competition for Students in Berkshire County
Open to all Berkshire County Students Grades K – 12

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS
Berkshire Athenaeum
Berkshire Business & Professional Women
Berkshire Community College
Berkshire Hills Hadassah
The Berkshire Museum
The College Club
Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center
Girls Incorporated of the Berkshires
Hancock Shaker Village
Jewish Federation of the Berkshires
The Junior League of Berkshire County
League of Women Voters, Williamstown
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum
The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
Williams College
Women’s Club of Pittsfield
Zonta Club of Berkshire County

We all have “Real Women” in our lives that we respect.

Here is a great opportunity to share this person’s life with your community. She may be a person who is or has been an inspiration to you in some way. She may be someone whom you already know or would like to know and learn more about.

Here are examples:

Historical Women
Locally or nationally recognized like Susan B. Anthony, Sally Ride, Harriet Tubman, and Edith Wharton

Role Model/Mentor
Family members, friends, teachers, neighbors, and acquaintances

Students may interview these women or conduct research. All entries should be the students’ own work. These projects may relate to units in history, language arts, visual arts, units teaching about values, and career development.

Founded in 1986, the Real Women Essay Contest Task Force contacts Berkshire County Schools and invites their participation each year for their annual Real Women Essay Contest. The combined efforts of the dedicated task force and community support make this a successful yearly tribute to women’s contributions in Berkshire County and beyond.

JUDGING CRITERIA

¬ Awareness of the woman as a person in society and as a role model

¬ Effective use of descriptive language

¬ Correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, and neatness

¬ There are ten categories (Each grade K-8, 9-10, and 11-12)

Judges are area community leaders and educators

FORMAT

¬ Essay, Poetry, or Scripted Conversation, First Person Monologue, or Journal

¬ Five hundred (500) words or less

¬ Maximum two single-sided sheets of paper

¬ May be accompanied by artwork or photos

¬ Kindergarten description (may be printed by an adult as told by the student)

¬ Student name should appear on completed entry form and attached to the essay

¬ Must be typed (except for K-3)

¬ 8 ½ x 11 paper only

¬ Please, no staples, paperclips preferred

SUBMISSION

¬ Teachers must select and submit essays

¬ Max. two essays per classroom/section

¬ Must be accompanied by a completed entry form.

¬ E-mailed entries must be sent as an attachment to sarahg@brighamcenter.org

¬ Entries due no later than 2/17/2012

¬ Put names on entry form not essay

¬ Essays will not be returned

Entries may be submitted via the following: Hand Deliver, Mail, or E-mail as an attachment:

Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center
165 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

December/January/February

¬ Introduce Projects

¬ Students conduct interviews and research

¬ The teacher selects 2 (maximum) per class

Deadline for Submission: February 17, 2012

The Awards Celebration is at Berkshire Community College on March 28, 2012, at 6:30 p.m.

Winning students, their families, and teachers will receive invitations.

Awards

¬ All entries will receive a special certificate

¬ Winners will receive ribbons and certificates

¬ First Place Winners also receive a book

Some essays will be printed in area newspapers. Winning essays will be displayed at The Berkshire Athenaeum.

Click here to download entry form