Hortense Ward Scholarship Information & Application
Hortense Ward:
an early 20th-century trailblazing Houston attorney who dedicated much of her career towards advocating for women's rights and suffrage in addition to serving a vital role in the Club’s creation
Established in 2007, the Hortense Ward Scholarship is presented annually by the Houston Heights Woman's Club to a female law school student in their second or third year. The recipient should exemplify the qualities of public service and commitment to social causes, especially those involving women. Candidates are asked to provide a brief statement describing their involvement in these initiatives and how they plan to continue this involvement in their legal career.
Recipient selection is based on:
- Educational path
- Vocation or occupational goals
- Service and commitment to social and/or civic activities
Additional details:
- Scholarship awards are rotated annually among one of the three local Colleges of Law: South Texas College of Law Houston, Thurgood Marshall School of Law - Texas Southern University and the University of Houston Law Center.
- The scholarship may be used for school or living expenses.
- Scholarship presentation is made in person to the recipient during the Club's Founders Day Reception.
- Applicants may email hortensewardhhwc@gmail.com with questions.
The 2026 Hortense Ward Scholarship of $5,000 is the largest scholarship presented by the Houston Heights Woman’s Club. The application window for the 2026 Hortense Ward Scholarship will be open to qualified applicants from South Texas College of Law Houston beginning January 7, 2026. When the application is live, you can click the link below to begin your application.
The deadline to submit your application is midnight on Friday, March 6, 2026. The scholarship recipient will be notified by March 13. The scholarship recipient will be presented a check in the amount of $5,000, at the Founders Day reception on Sunday afternoon, March 22, 2026. The reception will be held at the Houston Heights Woman’s Club clubhouse, located at 1846 Harvard Street, Houston, TX 77008.
"... As a graduating law student managing living expenses, graduation fees, and exam costs all at once, this scholarship provided much-needed financial relief. Because of this support, I was able to devote more time and energy to studying for the bar without the added stress of figuring out how to cover all of my expenses. It truly lightened my load during one of the most challenging seasons of my academic journey...Receiving this scholarship from the Houston Heights Woman’s Club made it even more special. Attending the Founders Day event and connecting with such a supportive and inspiring group of women was a wonderful experience that I will always remember and appreciate."
2025 Hortense Ward Scholarship Recipient - Asia Michael - Thurgood Marshall School of Law '25
Donations to the Hortense Ward Scholarship Fund are Gratefully Accepted Year-Round.
Your monetary gift will help sustain the scholarship fund year after year. Corporate matching funds from eligible donors are welcomed.