Women in Auto Care Awards Over $175,000 in Scholarships and Tools in 2021

September 9, 2021
By Camille Sheehan


women in auto care - napa logoBETHESDA, Md. – September 9, 2021 – Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association, awarded more than $175,000 in scholarship funding and starter tool sets to 63 female students across the United States looking to have a career in the auto care industry. The group’s scholarship program began in 2004 and has grown to awarding over $100,000 for the fourth year in a row, with 2021 being the program’s most successful year to date. Since 2004, Women in Auto Care have given more than $735,000 in scholarships.

“I am thrilled that 2021 marks another record year of giving for Women in Auto Care’s scholarship program,” said Olivia Newton, chair, Women in Auto Care. “We are so grateful to our sponsors for helping to make this happen.”

women in auto care - napa tool kit winner dezire graftonThis year, through the generosity of NAPA Auto Parts, Women in Auto Care was able to support young female technicians in training with over $55,000 in tools. With partners like NAPA stepping up to make a positive impact on the future of our industry, the Women in Auto Care community is confident it can continue to expand these programs for 2022.

“NAPA is a big supporter of Women in Auto Care,” said Melissa Stephens, category manager, NAPA. “I thought this was a great opportunity to pair two things I am passionate about: Women in Auto Care and Carlyle Tools, our proprietary brand. Not only were our partners glad to help such a great cause, it allowed me the opportunity to speak to them about Women in Auto Care and how the women within its organization could get involved.”

Pictured above is scholarship winner Dezire Grafton, student at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore.

The 2021 Women in Auto Care scholarship recipients include:

  • Abbygail OertelStratford, Wis.
  • Alicia GardnerEnterprise, Ala.
  • Alyssa WarfieldIndianapolis, Ind.
  • Amber TreadwayJefferson, Ga.
  • Anah-Dayna TorresEl Paso, Texas.
  • Angel HillCleveland Heights, Ohio
  • AnneMarie ByerlyBremerton, Wash.
  • Aspyn StanleyHerriman, Utah
  • Aubreigh BurleyBellevue, Neb.
  • Ava CooksleyWaucoma, Iowa
  • Brenna BrunsGreenfield, Iowa
  • Caitlin BettezDeering, N.H.
  • Cecilia LedesmaEl Monte, Calif.
  • Cherokee HallSanford, N.C.
  • Chloe OharaGasnvoort, N.Y.
  • Claudia HookSalem, Ore.
  • Courtney GoldsteinRoseburg, Ore.
  • Daniela Rivera Cambron –  Atlanta, Ga.
  • Dezire GraftonSalem, Ore.
  • Elisse RichardsonDexter, Mich.
  • Elizabeth EllisLouisville, Colo.
  • Ellena BenavidezAlbuquerque, N.M.
  • Emelie HorsensCecil, Wis.
  • Emily BeldenScottsburg, Ind.
  • Emily SparksTiro, Ohio
  • Emma RagonGlen Rose, Texas
  • Ericka WardPittsburg, Kan.
  • Esperanza MurguiaSan Dimas, Calif.
  • Gabriella McCaffreyLittle Egg Harbor, N.J.
  • Giselle Pena CortezSacramento, Calif.
  • Hannah ArmstrongShamrock, Texas
  • Hannah MendelsonRaleigh, N.C.
  • Heather KilbyPueblo, Colo.
  • Ione CasaisBayonne, N.J.
  • Isabella ScogginAthens, Ga.
  • Jennifer Ruiz-TorresSicklerville, N.J.
  • Jillian HaverOmaha, Neb.
  • Kaelyn WhiteBrush Prairie, Wash.
  • Kaitlynn BargBolingbrook, Ill.
  • Kasey TarantinoPennsburg, Penn.
  • Katelyn FairMilan, Mich.
  • Katlyn FrenchSt. Charles, Mo.
  • Kayla TollisCoraopolis, Penn.
  • Keeley WhitmerCumming, Ga.
  • Liane SharryWhiting, N.J.
  • Lindsey PowellRavena, N.Y.
  • Madalyn TillageGloucester, Va.
  • Makena GaylorEagle Point, Ore.
  • Mariela HendersonKaysville, Utah
  • Mary SarofaliyengKingwood, Texas
  • Megan De JesusStockbridge, Ga.
  • Morgan BurmahlCamanche, Iowa
  • Nadji RemerTucson, Ariz.
  • Natalia TorresOlmsted Falls, Ohio
  • Natalie BarcalowFort Wayne, Ind.
  • Nayelli RochaSan Benito, Texas
  • Nicole HelinMaynard, Mass.
  • Nushrat AhmedCambridge, Mass.
  • Parie GeroldBurlington, N.C.
  • Samantha SeuferWeissport, Penn.
  • Skye StackhouseKintnersville, Penn.
  • Stacy LongSpring Hill, Fla.
  • Stassa CapposPismo Beach, Calif.

Women in Auto Care thanks its sponsors, donors, membership, University of the Aftermarket Foundation and NAPA for their contributions and support of the scholarship program.

For more information about Women in Auto Care, please contact Jessica Finnerty, staff liaison, Women in Auto Care, at jessica.finnerty@autocare.org or visit the Women in Auto Care webpage.