About Betty Loughhead
27 August 1926 – 10 July 2014
The scholarship is named after Betty Loughhead MBE, JP. Betty was an early member of SI Christchurch joining in 1949.
International President of Soroptimist International
In 1982 she became Federation President of the South West Pacific, and then became the first New Zealander to hold the position of International President of Soroptimist International (1983-1985).
Scholarship named in her honour
The Betty Loughhead Soroptimist Scholarship was established in 1987, and was named in her honour. A campaign to obtain funding was started and through the goodwill of the Members the first scholarships were presented in 1989.
For women to educate, empower, enable
Clubs and members across New Zealand have continued to contribute to the Scholarship Trust, enabling women to progress their education and advance their careers.
EDUCATE
EMPOWER
ENABLE
The Betty Loughhead Scholarship
The Betty Loughhead Soroptimist Scholarship provides financial support to women who are studying to
- enter or re-enter the workforce
- change occupation
- seek advancement in their chosen career
The Scholarship is intended to provide financial support for study, not fully fund it. Applicants must be enrolled in an NZQA-approved tertiary study programme. All study must be undertaken in New Zealand.
This scholarship is restricted to New Zealand citizens. Those holding Australian citizenship or a NZ Resident Visa or a student visa are not eligible.
The amount awarded can vary at the Trustees’ discretion; previous awards have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000. Distributions are made annually, and there can be more than one recipient each year. Preference will be given to applicants who have a proven record of academic achievement.