In exciting news for the WordPress community, the Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship has been extended to cover not only WordCamp US, but now also WordCamp Europe and WordCamp Asia. This expansion, announced at the 2024 WordPress Foundation Meeting, aims to help women who are active contributors to WordPress but face financial barriers in attending these flagship events.
Honoring Kim Parsell’s Legacy
The scholarship pays tribute to Kim Parsell, affectionately known as #wpmom, a beloved figure in the WordPress community. Kim was one of the early advocates for women in WordPress, dedicating countless volunteer hours to the project and inspiring others with her commitment. She believed strongly in fostering inclusivity and diversity in tech—a legacy the scholarship seeks to uphold.
Kim’s passion for the WordPress community was evident when she received a travel stipend in 2014, enabling her to attend the WordPress Community Summit alongside WordCamp San Francisco. This experience had a profound impact on her, and the WordPress Foundation continues her mission by offering this scholarship in her honor.
Scholarship Expansion: Who’s Eligible?
The expanded scholarship will support eligible women to attend WordCamp Asia, WordCamp Europe, or WordCamp US, and is open to women who have not previously attended WordCamp Asia or WordCamp Europe. To apply, candidates must meet the following criteria:
– Identify as a woman
– Actively contribute to the WordPress project
– Require financial assistance to attend
– Not have previously attended WordCamp Asia or Europe
Applications for WordCamp Asia and WordCamp Europe are now open until November 30, 2024, with selected recipients notified by December 21, 2024. Applications for WordCamp US will open in the coming months. The scholarship covers travel, hotel accommodation, and a ticket to the selected WordCamp event, but recipients will need to cover airport transfers, meals, and incidental expenses.
Continuing the Tradition of Empowerment
The Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship has empowered women in WordPress since 2015, when its first recipient, Anyssa Ferreira—a Brazilian designer and community activist—attended WordCamp. The scholarship was awarded last year to Cynthia Norman, a developer with a background in training and education.
Why This Matters
This initiative broadens access for women in tech, fostering a more inclusive and diverse community within WordPress. The WordCamp events, known for their vibrant community-building opportunities, provide valuable networking, learning, and professional development experiences for attendees. With this expanded scholarship, even more women can participate in these flagship events, strengthening the WordPress community as a whole.
WordCamp Expands Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship to Support Women Attending Global Events
