Mary Alice Jordan Fennell & Nettie C. Bannerman Legacy Scholarship

Mary Alice Jordan Fennell and Nettie C. Bannerman are the two African American women who are the inspiration for this scholarship. Both were born and raised in Burgaw in an era very different from the one we live in now. They endured life before, during, and post-Civil Rights Movement. As you can imagine, the obstacles for young African American women during this time were many. Often relegated to menial and arduous work, they remained humble and persistent to make life better for their children. Their perseverance in the pursuit of happiness for their families made them phenomenal role models and set the path for their children to follow. Although their struggles impeded them from obtaining the needed post-education to obtain higher-paying jobs, they were determined to inspire and provide more for their children. As a result of their shining example of what can be accomplished with hard work, determination, and the sheer will to succeed, we (their descendants) are now able to offer this scholarship. The warm hearts of Mary Alice and Nettie taught us that it is imperative that we pay forward the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. We hope that this scholarship will aid you in your journey to success. It is also our desire that you will benefit from these things that we received from our mothers: LOVE, STRENGTH, DETERMINATION, AND PERSEVERANCE!