Rita Marley Announces New Scholarship to Empower Women
Rita Marley celebrated her 75th birthday on July 25, and Bob Marley’s widow decided to mark the occasion by announcing a new annual scholarship for young women and single mothers. The Rita Marley Scholarship will be awarded to three women every year, striving to empower “women from the lower socio-economic stratum of Jamaica’s society,” according to Jamaica Observer. It will be offered to one student enrolled at the Women Centre of Jamaica and two students from the University of Technology Nursing.
Sharon Marley, Rita Marley’s oldest daughter, told Billboard that fostering the next generation of women is one of her mother’s top priorities. “Providing scholarships for young women needing assistance to complete their educational goals — thus maintaining and bringing high standards to their communities — is a big part of Dr. Rita Marley’s vision,” said Sharon Marley. “Programs created by The Rita Marley Foundation are giving voices to hundreds of youths.”
In addition to the scholarship announcement, Rita Marley celebrated her birthday through a livestream tribute concert on her official YouTube channel. The six-hour-long event saw tributes from friends and family, as well as performance from Judy Mowatt, Tessanne Chin, and former backup vocalist for Bob Marley, Marcia Griffiths.
“Yes, she has preserved and protected Bob Marley’s legacy, but on a larger scale, she has not only inspired generations worldwide, but has also increased tourism to our country,” Griffiths told Billboard of Rita Marley.
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