Laura E. Settle Scholarship Foundation
Laura E. Settle was the founder of the movement to establish a pension program for California’s retired teachers. The financial stability she fought for was a reward for the years of devoted service they provided to their students and communities.
Following Laura’s death on May 11, 1951, George Howden of Santa Cruz, with the help of donations from various Divisions statewide, was able to establish the scholarship fund in her name. At the 75th Anniversary of CalRTA, a tribute appeared with a very long list of donors who had created a plan for awarding financial support for aspiring teachers.
In the beginning the plan involved: (a) loaning $500 to a California State College or University which would then be loaned to senior or graduate student in education; (b) the college officials would require repayment to the fund; (c) an annual report would be made to the Laura E. Settle Committee, stating the condition of the fund; (d) the money was to be kept in a separate fund named the LES Memorial Fund.
That Anniversary article and its embryonic efforts developed both within and outside the California Retired Teachers Association. Contacts with higher educational institutions produced a process for giving monetary awards. However, in 1968 the fund received a legacy gift from Clara May Post, and began the self sustaining nature as it exists today. Grants and scholarships were awarded annually with the first LES Scholarship going to U.C. Santa Cruz in 1969.
From that small beginning, the endowment funds have grown significantly. Today the fund provides 30 annual scholarships of $3000 each to be awarded to students pursuing their teaching credentials and careers. This program has grown from people wanting to honor Laura Settle and her willingness to stand up for teachers living with no retirement benefits. She continued to inspire and was a tireless crusader throughout her life. The value of her efforts ultimately has provided hope and future security for today’s teachers.
There continues to be countless donation opportunities to enhance the funds. There is a Laura E. Settle Scholarship Foundation Needs You brochure on the CalRTA website. It explains how giving has, and will, continue to make a difference in the lives of future teachers. In addition to scholarships the LES Foundation also provides four Outler awards specifically for elementary teachers at four University of California locations that have teacher preparation departments. The Foundation accepts gifts from members and their estates in order to continue the vital work of providing for California’s future educators.
The LES Board that manages the fund today consists of three appointed directors and three directors elected from geographic areas in the state. Together with the CalRTA staff they develop and safeguard the financial resources that will be used to ensure California’s teacher corps.
Recently, a recipient wrote: “I am truly touched by your generosity and kindness. I can assure you that I will spend the money wisely, and that your dedication and wonderful efforts will enable me to become a committed educator of our future generations.”