LULAC Lambda Scholarship

(WASHINGTON DC – Monday, April 9, 2018) League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Lambda, will award its first-ever scholarships to local students Mirna Elizabeth Maldonado (pictured above) and Maria Gramajo on May 5 at the DC LULAC State Convention.

Scholars were selected from applicants who applied in December 2017. Finalists were interviewed and chosen by a committee who were impressed with their community service, academic performance, and future plans.

“I’m very thankful that our very first scholarships will go to two young women who want to better society after they graduate. Both are proud daughters of immigrants who recognize the importance of family, social justice, and equality,” said LULAC Lambda President Jesse Garcia.

Maldonado, 17, is a soccer player and cheerleader at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. The May 2018 graduate has volunteered locally with the National LULAC Office – the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization. Maldonado studied abroad in the Dominican Republic, where she volunteered with an organization that has inspired her: the Mariposa Foundation, an agency dedicated to educating and empowering girls to create sustainable solutions to end generational poverty.

“I look forward to continuing service projects such as this one and help change lives and the world through work as a psychologist,” said Maldonado about her plans after college.

Gramajo, 19, is a student government leader at American University. She advocates for environmental issues with Fossil Free AU, a student-led campaign that aims to eliminate fossil fuel companies from American University’s endowment. Gramajo serves also as the community engagement director for her award-winning collegiate council, AU LULAC, which has protested in front of the White House and advocated in the halls of Congress to support a clean DREAM Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

“As a queer Latina student in DC, I understand that the work I do truly makes an impact for those on campus who may not understand feminism or LGBTQ+ issues beyond a white lens. As a passionate environmentalist, I hone in on the intersections of the environment with gender and race,” said Maldonado, who hopes to create a nonprofit to help Latinx youth find their passions and excel in higher education.

LULAC Lambda would like to thank its membership, supportive community, and fellow council LULAC 11041 for helping the organization raise $1,000 for the scholarship, and Brother Help Thyself for matching the funds to allow LULAC Lambda to award an additional scholarship.

Applications for LULAC Lambda’s 2019 Scholarship will become available on Oct. 1 on its website lulaclambda.org. To get the latest news about LULAC Lambda, follow us on Twitter and Facebook @lulaclambda. 

LULAC Lambda is a community action group launched in 2014 to ensure Latinx LGBTQ people had a voice in the District of Columbia and in the LULAC National Organization. Our members have volunteered in the community and raised funds to increase the capacity of local organizations that serve the most vulnerable Latinx and LGBTQ residents of the District. LULAC Lambda advances LULAC National LGBTQ action items on Capitol Hill and the District government.