09/01/2026
Introducing Ashanti Gillis!
Please join us in celebrating Ashanti Gillis, a well-deserving graduate of Towson High School and the recipient of additional support from Towson Lodge #79, Maryland, USA, to continue her education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she will study Psychology.
Ashanti is the first recipient of the 2026 Darlene Parker Memorial Scholarship (DPMS). The DPMS provides one scholastic scholarship or up to two professional certification or licensing opportunities each year to well-deserving freshmen, professionals, or recently graduated master’s students who are committed to helping and providing services to individuals experiencing distress or in need of Human Services.
The DPM Scholarship opportunities may support the launch of an academic year, educational or professional certification, coaching or mental-health credentials, or licensure in fields such as Social Work, Psychology, and Counseling in the state of Maryland.
Ashanti is an already proven leader whose compassion, courage, and determination have distinguished her as a National Honor Student, spokesperson for accessibility within differently abled communities, and advocate for student success. Her accomplishments and commitment to helping others earned her a well-deserved Sondheim Scholarship, as well as a full, paid tuition award at UMBC.
Towson Lodge #79 has further invested in Ashanti’s success by providing her with an IRIE embosser and four years of JAWS software, in addition to the original scholarship assistance of $2,250.
Ashanti Gillis’s courage, leadership, and vision for helping others, and her commitment to using her platform to encourage, empower, and uplift those around her should be an inspiration to us all.
Her dedication reminds us of the legacy of Darlene Parker, the first African American woman to hold the title of Grand Master in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and who endeavored deeply to help others with her professional work, in psychology, rehabilitation, and reentry.
Congratulations, Ashanti!
We are proud to support your journey and look forward to seeing the lives you will touch through your leadership, compassion, and service to others.
In Friendship, Love, and Truth keep helping others and remember it’s not so strange to be this kind of Odd!
