Empowering lesbians in higher education
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship founder Phyllis Dicker (right) pictured with her late partner, Peggy Traub (left)
Stonewall is currently accepting applications for the Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship, a fund established in 2004 by Phyllis Dicker and her late wife, Peggy Traub. Now entering its third decade, the scholarship has supported dozens of lesbian students in pursuing their goals of higher education, with a focus on uplifting students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to social justice.
A little over twenty years ago, Stonewall Fund Partner Phyllis Dicker and her partner Peggy Traub were looking for a new way to give back to their community. Having met in the 1980’s while attending Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, New York’s LGBTQ+ synagogue, they were at a comfortable point in their lives, and wanted to help young lesbian students as they started or continued their own educational journeys. From the beginning, Phyllis and Peggy designed an application process that would not only address an applicant’s need, but also their connection to the community and their attitudes toward engagement and leadership. “What’s been amazing over time is how much more students are engaging in activities and the world around them,” said Phyllis.
In the early days, Phyllis and Peggy would invite friends over on Memorial Day and before they’d celebrate, they’d sit down and read the top ten applications: getting outside input was important from the beginning. After more than 20 years together, they married in 2008 and set a long-range plan to build the impact of their scholarship fund at Stonewall. Peggy passed away in 2014 at the age of 55, but Phyllis continues their legacy, and in fact today oversees three separate funds at Stonewall: a general donor-advised fund, an endowed fund, and the Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship Fund.
When we asked Phyllis Dicker what advice she had for young people interested in philanthropy, she said, “Find your niche. Find something important to you and give.” Learn more about our 2024 Traub-Dicker scholars and the ways they’re giving back to their communities:
Kelly-Ann, a first-year college student who was a leader in her high school’s GSA: “I helped push for a focus on important LGBTQ+ figures and trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson and Divine. A presentation to a class of 20 students may not be the biggest splash in terms of informing people, but LGBTQ+ history is so often overlooked or deemed unimportant that I believe even a small splash is a step in the right direction.”
Layla, a social work student working in gender-based violence prevention: “I’m a firm believer that a just world cannot exist for anyone until it exists for everyone, especially those who are most affected by systemic oppression and violence, which is why my work focuses on the most marginalized in the LGBTQ+ community.”
Donara, a psychology student who has created LGBTQ+ community in her country of origin as well as in the US: “Being a lesbian has deepened my appreciation for the power of community. It has shown me that we are stronger together.”
Moriah, an urban planning student working to create just and inclusive cities: “As a working-class, Jewish lesbian raised in the U.S. South, I feel pulled to pursue work that contributes to creating a better world for ourselves. A just life is worth fighting for here and now.”
To learn more about the Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship, and to apply, head to our Scholarships page here.
Applicants must identify as lesbian and attend or plan to attend a college or university in the United States. Applications due June 30!