The Guttmacher Institute is pleased to announce that Amandi Clarke is the recipient of the 2015 Cory L. Richards Memorial Scholarship. A George Washington University graduate, Ms. Clarke will use the scholarship to complete her Masters in Public Health at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Ms. Clarke was chosen from an exceptionally strong field of more than 125 applicants.

Ms. Clarke has a long history of involvement in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States and globally, including work as a researcher, advocate, peer educator on sexual health for adolescents and abortion funding hotline volunteer. Her work in these areas highlighted for her the critical importance of evidence-based policies to redress inequitable access to services and information.

"We are excited to award the second Cory L. Richards Scholarship to Amandi Clarke," said Susan Cohen, Vice President for Public Policy and a member of the selection committee. "Cory cared deeply about helping young people to fulfill their potential as leaders in the field, and we believe that Ms. Clarke shows exactly the kind of commitment and promise that inspired Cory as a mentor. Even in a pool of extremely strong candidates, her passion and potential stood out."

Ms. Clarke has just completed her first year of course work at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. "The Cory L. Richards Scholarship will help me complete my second year of graduate study at the Mailman School of Public Health," Ms. Clarke said. "This will support my academic and professional goal of using research to effectively monitor the implementation of programs that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly among marginalized populations. I am deeply grateful to the Guttmacher Institute for this tremendous honor."

Named in honor of Cory L. Richards, a leading figure in the field whose remarkable career at the Guttmacher Institute spanned nearly four decades, the Cory L. Richards Memorial Scholarship reflects what was for him a core commitment: nurturing the development of new leaders. It does so by providing financial support to students who plan to devote their careers to advancing public policy related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and who are seeking advanced degrees in public health or public policy.

One individual is designated each year as a Cory L. Richards Scholar and awarded a one-time scholarship of $15,000 to support full-time graduate study at an accredited institution in the United States. In keeping with the Institute’s and Cory’s commitment to equalizing opportunity, priority is given to students with a demonstrated financial need.