Ruth Pittard Fund for Love in Action
The Ruth Pittard Fund for Love In Action supports Davidson College students pursuing meaningful summer experiences that honor Ruth’s values of collaboration, community building, participation, service, integrity, and love.
The grant currently provides up to $5,000 in funds to support summer internships, projects, or experiences. Students who need funding to fulfill their dreams of helping others create a more humane world are encouraged to apply.
Applications (consisting of two parts as detailed on our Grants and Funding Opportunities page) are available in spring only:
- Early Due Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Final Due Date: Sunday, March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Explore Past Recipients' Projects
Stacy Moraa Miruka ‘26
Breaking Barriers for Women’s Education and Health While Empowering Young Women
This project in Entasekera addressed healthcare disparities for women and children through the creation of regular and cost-free health camps. They collaborated with local health offices and schools, offering free services and transportation. The project focused on creating innovative methods targeting healthcare accessibility and issues such as early marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM). Collaborating with stakeholders, the project provided VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) clinics, pregnancy check-ups, contraceptives, vaccinations, and counseling, aiming to empower young mothers to return to school. They also engaged high school girls in dialogues and mentorship to combat issues like FGM and teenage pregnancies. Notably, they secured support for vulnerable girls facing forced marriages, demonstrating a tangible positive impact within the community.
Mourad Khalil ‘23
Female Empowerment Through Dignity Kits
Khalil partnered with the Egyptian Clothing Bank to provide training and comprehensive knowledge on sewing to the women in his community. Working with Caritas, they helped support women who had a commitment to learning and an entrepreneurial vision of what they wanted to do after the project. By equipping the women with industrial-grade sewing machines, a supply of fabrics, and resources and connections to continue buying materials for their future endeavors, the women were well-equipped to pursue their entrepreneurial visions after the project ended.
Recognizing the impact of poverty and gender-based violence (GBV) on healthcare strategies in the Entasekera region, particularly among young women, I eagerly anticipate my return to contribute to the development of solutions aimed at addressing GBV.
Summer 2023 Awardee