In 1947, the Sippican Woman’s Club President Alice Ryder and members of the club voted to award a Marion high school student of Wareham High School a $50 scholarship. At the time, Marion students went to Wareham High School. In the following years, the program expanded to give scholarships to Marion residents at Tabor Academy and Wareham High School.
The Sippican Woman’s Club, founded in 1904, has a history of programs to benefit the town of Marion. However, the scholarship fund has taken center stage in the last 50 years or so. Countless students have received scholarships over the years, averaging 16 students and $14,000 a year.
In a review of recipients, we contacted two from 50 years ago – Cornelia Dougall, who graduated from Old Rochester Regional in 1971 and went on to be a clinical psychologist with a practice here in Marion; and David Sullivan, who graduated in 1970 also from Old Rochester Regional High School. David writes:
“As an early recipient of Scholarship, this honor remains – to these 50 years later. My educational journey led from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, onto Brown University, and then Northeastern University. Once out of school, a fulfilling career in Boston Hotels awaited. I joined with another hotel GM and created a much-used Hotel Software Company, which allowed me to switch gears – rounding out my working years dedicated to nonprofit. Although the Holiday House Tour is cancelled this year due to COVID concerns; it has become even more important to support “Dollars for Scholars” so this gracious and loving program continues to grow. Our household will be making a pledge in honor of our great-grandmother Lewis, her daughter Mabel Jewett, and her daughter (our mother) Caroline Sullivan – who climbed those stairs into the Handy Tavern and bore good works for the Town of Marion. Thank you again, for both looking back and forward this and every day, dear Sippican Woman’s Club.”
Countless students have received scholarships over the 73 years. We are looking to continue this tradition this spring.
To make a tax-deductible donation, made payable to Sippican Woman’s Club, and sent to “SWC Dollars for Scholars,” P.O. Box 121, Marion, MA 02738, or you can donate on our website www.sippicanwomansclub.org/scholars/.