Christian Feminism Today

The scholarship application window for the 2026 award has closed.

Click here to access the 2026 scholarship application (reference purposes only).

Christian Feminism Today (formerly known as the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus) offers 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 Nancy A Hardesty Memorial Scholarship application window for the 2026 award is closed. The application window will reopen in January for the 2027 award.

Click to access the 2026 flyer.

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 50^th 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…”

Learn about past scholarship recipients:

2025 — Ashley Star-Morris, a doctoral student at Claremont Graduate University (CGU)
2024 — Mallory Challis, a student at Wake Forest Divinity School
2023 — HyeLim Yoon, a doctoral student at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto

2022 — Rev. Lynn Horan, a doctoral student at Antioch University
2021 — JoDeanne Francis, studied theology GCTS
2020 — Dr. Elizabeth Schrader, completed her doctorate at Duke University

2020 — Rev. Shavon Walker, earned her MDiv at ABSW
2019 — M Burke, completed their MA in theological studies from Nazarene Theological Seminary
2018 — Elyssa Salinas-Lazarski, a doctoral student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

2017 — Rev. Erica Saunders, completed her MDiv from Wake Forest University
2016 — Rev. Dr. Darcy Metcalfe, completed her doctorate at the University of Iowa
2015 — Katie Deaver, PhD, completed her doctorate from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
2014 — Jennifer Newman, completed her undergrad degree at George Fox University

Press Releases

2026 Press Release
2025 Press Release
2024 Press Release
2023 Press Release
2022 Press Release
2021 Recipient Press Release (JoDeanne Francis)
2021 Honorable Mention Press Release (Josefine Parker)
2021 Honorable Mention Press Release (Kimberly Shank)
2020 Press Release
2019 Press Release
2018 Press Release
2017 Press Release
2016 Press Release
2015 Press Release
2014 Press Release

Requirements

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 2024 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.

Please note: Including AI-generated content in your essay will negatively impact your chances of being selected as the scholarship recipient.

Important Dates

Scholarship application window is open.
Applications are must be received (electronic or snail mail) by 11:59 pm EDT April 30.
All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision before June 1.
Check will be sent to the recipient’s school in before August 1.

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