Scholarships
We are committed to aiding our members and succeeding generations to achieve their goals whether academically, socially or financially. Whenever funds are available, we award recipients yearly scholarships based on need and service to their lower-income community. Below you can read more about the current and past scholarships we have provided.
Current Scholarships
The Magdalena Mora Scholarship
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History of the fund:
Magdalena Mora was a Mexican immigrant who moved to San Jose, California, in 1964. She proved to be an excellent student at Abraham Lincoln High School where she became a member of the Mayo Club, an organization that was the first to stimulate her young intriguing mind. In 1971, she was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley. Although she was a student, her passion to help the people of the Chicanx/Latinx Community made her an active participant in the Chicano Movement and was immediately recognized at the statewide level. Magdalena Mora received her Bachelors in Economics in 1975. Magdalena dedicated herself to progressive movements like the Farah Strike and the campaign to free Los Tres del Barrio. She became a great public speaker and leader that exhibited charisma and passion. Her greatest accomplishment came in 1974 when she helped in the founding of CASA, Centro de Accion Social Autonoma, whose objectives were to unite laborers in Oakland, California, to fight employers that took advantage of Chicanxs and Mexicans. CASA worked its way into other major California cities like Los Angeles, San Jose, and eventually went national. Magdalena Mora was also a distinguished writer. She played a key role in building Sin Fronteras, a CASA newspaper that was a strong political force among the Chicano Mexicano liberation press. Her news articles and labor organization columns were recognized for their vision and ideals. In 1978, Magdalena Mora returned to school, becoming a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, to study the Labor Movement and Scientific Methods of Analysis. In 1979, however, Magdalena learned that her consistent headaches were caused by a malignant brain tumor. Instead of feeling beaten, depressed, impatient, or despair, Magdalena Mora dealt with her illness the way she dealt with the other struggles of her life, with optimism, passion, determination, and with contagious humor. She continued to work for the Chicanx/Latinx struggles and in 1980 founded the newspaper El Foro del Pueblo. She actively helped with the production of the newspaper until April of 1981, when she decided to return to the town where she was born, Tlalpujahua, Michoacan, Mexico. On May 28, 1981, Magdalena Mora, attended by her aunts and her mom, passed away. She was given a ceremonial burial, like the common people of her town. Magdalena Mora continues to be a shining example worthy of emulation by all oppressed people struggling to free us. She brought hope and change to the lives of many. Magdalena fought for justice, equality, and against oppression. She is in the heart of the hxstory of the towns and men who fought for such justice and equality. Her legacy has not died...her strength thrives within us all. |
Details on how to apply:
Hermandad Macehual has offered the Magdalena Mora Scholarship since 1993. The Fellowship offers the scholarship for two reasons; (1) to commemorate Magdalena's great achievements by bringing attention to her outstanding contributions to the Chicanx/Latinx community and (2) to assist entering freshman or transfer students by acknowledging their accomplishments and their service to the community. The Fellowship takes great pride in aiding incoming University of California, Davis, students with this, allowing Magdalena Mora to continue contributing to the Chicanx/Latinx Community. The Magdalena Mora is awarded annually to incoming UC Davis students. The fund allows the students to utilize to pay for tuition, living expenses, books and/or supplies. Eligibility: Current freshman, first year transfer student and/or identifies as AB540 at the University of California, Davis. Amount of award: Three $200 scholarships Due: All applications must be postmarked by April 26th, 11:59pm. |