[NOTE: In his November 26, 1985 memo to Diocesan Council Lex Mathews attached background information for the “Women’s Issues Task Force’s Diocesan Scholarship for Women 35 and Older.”]

At the January 3, 1986 meeting the Task Force had a sad event to discuss. The Rev. Lex Mathews had died in December, victim of a faulty heater on his boat. There are not words to fully describe what he had meant to the work of the Task Force and to the individual members. The scholarship would now be named for Lex Mathews.

Colleen Hartsoe, “Women’s Issues and the Lex Mathews Scholarship,” Typescript report, May 2000

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After three years of work the first awards have been made! The Committee had decided that as soon as $30,000 was reached toward the goal, the first grants would be awarded. That goal was achieved earlier this year and the scholarship committee appointed by the Commission on Women’s Issues (CWI) met to consider sixteen applications received in a six-week period. Two grants of $400 each were made.

“Lex Mathews Scholarship Fund,” ECW Patchwork, August 1988.

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Begun in 1985, the original idea for this scholarship came from Abbie Penwell, the current archivist at St. Michael’s, Raleigh. The creative scholarship is a tribute to the ministry and memory of the Rev. Lex Mathews, late Director of Christian Social Ministries for the Diocese of North Carolina. The scholarship is funded by contributions and the generosity of the Episcopal Church Women across this Diocese, who recognize the need to provide educational opportunities for women who have been out of the work force for a period of time, or who need to upgrade their skills or education to advance career opportunities.

Eva Morriss, “Lex Mathews Scholarships Awarded to Five Women,” ECW Patchwork, Fall 1999, p. 2

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UPDATE: As of the 2013-14 academic year, 274 Lex Mathews Scholarships have been awarded, totaling more than $265,000. For more information about applications and/or contributions please contact lexmathews@ecw-nc.org.