Fellowship extended to Midlands-area college students

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A $3,500 fellowship is being revitalized and extended to students at Midlands-area colleges by the Richland Library Friends and Foundation.

The Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship, established in 2010, provides support to students from underrepresented and underserved groups working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. Students must also express an interest in working at Richland Library, according to a news release.

Fellowship applications (.pdf) detailing eligibility requirements are available online. All required documents must be postmarked by May 15.

The fellowship aims to recognize Bolden’s service to Richland County and its libraries. Born in 1918 in Charleston, Bolden attended Barber Scotia Junior College and completed her degree in English and social studies at Johnson C. Smith University in 1940. She received a postgraduate degree in 1959 from Atlanta University.

Bolden taught at Waverly Elementary School in Columbia from 1945-1956, beginning her career there as a librarian. She also served as the librarian at Perry Junior High School and taught future librarians at Allen University and S.C. State. She worked at Dreher High School from 1968 until her retirement in 1982.

Bolden served as chair of the librarian section of the Palmetto State Teachers Association from 1964-1966 and as president of Jack & Jill of America from 1958-1960.