Sarah George Scholarship

The Ladies’ Literary Club created its first scholarship on May 9, 1928, the club’s fiftieth anniversary. It was named in honor of Sarah George, who joined the club in 1879 and twice served as club president, in 1882-1883 and 1910-1912. At the age of 81, Sarah was present on that day in 1928 when the club announced they would be creating a “loan fund” to honor young women graduates of Ypsilanti High School planning to enroll at Eastern Michigan University.

Members began by saving pennies in jars kept by their kitchen sinks. Revenue from those penny pots and years of fundraising grew into an endowment. The club awarded the first Sarah George Scholarship on May 13, 1953.

Today the Ladies’ Literary Club awards the Sarah George Scholarship annually to a young woman who has graduated from any public high school program in Ypsilanti and who plans to attend EMU. Qualifications include outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community service.