The WordPress Foundation Begins Accepting Applications for the Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship

WordCamp San Francisco 2014 By Sheri Bigelow

Earlier this year, the WordPress Foundation created a scholarship in memory of Kim Parsell to celebrate her life and contributions to WordPress. With the date and location secured for WordCamp US, applications for the scholarship are now being accepted by the Foundation.

Details of the scholarship are as follows:

It is a scholarship for a woman contributor with financial need who has never attended WordCamp San Francisco before.

It will cover the ticket cost, flight, and lodging.

It will not cover things like taxis, meals outside the official event, or airport transportation.

One scholarship is awarded per year.

It is funded by the WordPress Foundation.

The application deadline is September 2, 2015.

A decision will be made by September 16, 2015, and applicants contacted.

Because of the nature of this scholarship explained here, applicants must fulfill four requirements.

A woman (this includes trans women)

An active contributor to the WordPress open source project (through one of the contributor teams or as a local meetup/WordCamp organizer)

Someone with financial need

Someone who has never attended WordCamp San Francisco (the precursor to WCUS).

Kim was an older woman who encouraged others, especially women around the same age group to get involved with WordPress. In light of this, older women are highly encouraged to apply for the scholarship if you meet the other requirements.

Kim once told me that attending WordCamp San Francisco 2014 was one of the best experiences of her life. It was her first WordCamp San Francisco and although she was unemployed at the time, she was able to attend thanks to financial assistance received from the WordPress Foundation.

Thank you to Jen Mylo, the WordPress Foundation, and Matt Mullenweg for not only creating the scholarship, but for providing the opportunity for others to potentially have the same experience.