Christian Feminism Today (formerly known as the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus) is pleased to offer a $1,000 scholarship to a college senior or graduate student who is pursuing studies in religion or theology. The scholarship is awarded to a student who aspires to exemplify the values and achievements of Nancy A. Hardesty, a founding member of the Christian Feminism Today organization. The application window opens in February and closes April 30 each year.
Hardesty spent much of her career in higher education. From 1988 to her death in 2011, Hardesty taught in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Clemson University in South Carolina. Before arriving at Clemson, Hardesty also taught at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.
Hardesty’s first book, co-authored with Letha Dawson Scanzoni, was All We’re Meant to Be: Biblical Feminism for Today published in 1974. The ground-breaking book has gone through several editions, and was noted by Christianity Today, in its 50th anniversary issue, as one of the top fifty books influencing the evangelical movement. Hardesty subsequently wrote other books on topics ranging from women in the Bible to inclusive language in the church.
“We owe much to Nancy Hardesty for all her contributions to Christian feminism over the years,” Scanzoni said in 2011. “She played a major role in setting the stage for the 1974 founding of our organization…”
The 2019 recipient will be announced in June.
Learn about past scholarship recipients:
The 2018 scholarship recipient is Elyssa Salinas-Lazarski, a doctoral student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
The 2017 scholarship recipient is Erica Saunders, who is working on her M.Div. at Wake Forest University.
The 2016 scholarship recipient is Rev. Darcy Metcalfe, who is beginning her doctoral studies at the University of Iowa.
The 2015 scholarship recipient was Katie Deaver of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
The 2014 scholarship recipient was Jennifer Newman, a student at George Fox University.
2019 Application
The 2019 application window opened on February 1, 2019 and closed April 30.
Press Releases
Click here for the 2018 award press release.
Click here for the 2017 award press release.
Click here for the 2016 award press release.
Click here for the 2015 award press release.
Click here for the 2014 award press release.
2019 Requirements
Download the application and instructions here.
1. Applicant must be a senior in college, a graduate student studying religion or theology, or must be attending seminary/divinity school.
2. Applicant must be planning to attend a university or seminary in the US or Canada during the fall 2019 semester.
3. Applicant must submit all the following:
a. Three letters of reference, with at least one letter from a professor. Make sure accurate contact information is included!
b. A current transcript.
c. The completed application form.
d. A 1500-2500 word double-spaced three part essay covering:
● The influence Christian feminism has had on their personal and professional pursuits.
● The impact they hope to have on the field of Christian feminism.
● Current social justice issues with which Christian feminism should be concerned.
Important Dates
The deadline for submitting the 2019 application was April 30, 2019.
Recipient will be notified by June 1, 2019.
Check will be sent to the school in August.
Mailing Address
All requested materials should be scanned and emailed to office [at] eewc [dot] com. If you are unable to scan and email your submission, materials may be mailed to:
CFT Nancy A. Hardesty Memorial Scholarship
PO Box 78171
Indianapolis, IN 46278
