Margaret McNamara Education Grants

08/07/2026

Exceptional women. Exceptional work. Your support makes it possible. ❤️

This year, more than 200 people donated to MMEG, helping us support 39 exceptional women through our five programs—bringing our total to 639 women supported.

mmeg.org/donate.

Any amount goes a long way. Thank you!

07/21/2026

99! This year 99 people volunteered to help MMEG select the best of the applicants, to serve on the Board, and to run our annual MMEG Market fundraiser. That means we can spend almost all your donations on grants.

DONATE and help us carry on with our mission at mmeg.org/donate. Any amount goes a long way. Thank you!

07/13/2026

39! We’re proud to have awarded more grants than ever this year. You’ve met our grantees over the past few months.
DONATE and help us carry on with our mission at mmeg.org/donate. Any amount goes a long way. Thank you!

07/03/2026

With Etsehiwot Yisak, we conclude our series celebrating the 39 extraordinary women who received our education grants this year, so...

Congratulations, Etsehiwot, on your MMEG grant!!!

“I saw families whose suffering could have been prevented with better systems and education. These experiences taught me

that while clinical care is vital, sustainable healing requires strong health systems.” (Etsehiwot Yisak)

Etsehiwot Haileselassie Yisak, from Ethiopia, is pursuing a master of public health in global health at Washington University in St. Louis . Her work focuses on maternal and child health, health equity, health policy, NGO governance, and women’s leadership. She is building a global web-based guideline platform for pediatric cancer survivorship.

To learn more about Etsehiwot Yisak: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/etsehiwot-yisak

Join us in celebrating Etsehiwot Yisak!

06/26/2026

Congratulations, Florence, on your MMEG grant!!!

‘Florence’s greatest strength lies in her ability to integrate advanced scientific methods with a deep understanding of societal needs… Her research is designed to generate actionable knowledge that supports sustainable water management, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation strategies in resource-limited settings.'

FLORENCE ONYIKE, from Nigeria, is a doctoral candidate in geosciences at Virginia Tech, specializing in hydrology and geodesy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria, from which she was the first woman to graduate at the top of her department.

To learn more about Florence Onyike: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/florence-onyike

Join us in celebrating Florence Onyike!

06/22/2026

Congratulations, Thi Vui, on your MMEG grant!!!

"This versatile and multi-skilled scholar is destined for high profile achievements as a servant leader for the disempowered.”

Vui Nguyen Thi, from Vietnam, is a PhD student in organizational behavior at Claremont Graduate University. Her doctoral research investigates how cultural norms and organizational structures influence women’s voice, well-being, and leadership trajectories. She will work as an educator and an advocate for marginalized girls.

To learn more about Thi Vu: https://lnkd.in/eK-D6aWq

Join us in celebrating Thi Vu !

06/17/2026

Congratulations, Vanessa, on your MMEG grant!!!

“Every phase of her career, from preschool founder to disability rights advocate to emerging scholar, demonstrates her unwavering focus on improving the educational conditions of children- especially girls and children with disabilities.”

VANESSA MACAMO, from Mozambique, is a Fulbright doctoral candidate in special education at the University of Arizona. She is an educator and an advocate for inclusive education and disability rights. She plans to return to Mozambique and uplift marginalized communities through education and advocacy on local and national levels.

To know more about Vanessa: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/vanessa-macamo

Join us in celebrating Vanessa!

06/16/2026

Congratulations, Netsayi, on your MMEG grant!!!

“Her leadership is grounded in nearly 12 years of experience as a nurse, midwife, educator, and researcher, and informed by a deep understanding of the structural and social determinants of women’s and children’s health in developing countries. She leads with empathy, cultural humility, and a strong ethical compass.”

Netsayi Chimenya Gowero, from Malawi, is completing a doctorate in neonatal nursing at the University of Connecticut. Her thesis is on culturally tailored tube-feeding education for low-birth-weight infants in low-resource settings. She has 12 years of experience as a nurse, midwife, educator, and researcher in Malawi and Connecticut.

To know more about Netsayi: https://www.mmeg.org/usc-fy26-1/2026/5/18/netsayi-chimenya-gowero-kilembe

Join us in celebrating Netsayi!

06/15/2026

Es siempre un orgullo ver como las mujeres que han recibido nuestra beca se gradúan con éxito y siguen con determinación su propósito de mejorar la vida de mujeres y niños.
Enhorabuena Fiorela Herrera!

🎓Con muchísima alegría felicitamos a Fiorela Herrera, graduada de la Maestría en Estudios de Género.

Fiorela defendió exitosamente su tesis titulada: “Achka mikuqmi kaniku (somos muchas(os) las(os) que comemos)”: El Estado y las organizaciones sociales en los comedores populares del departamento de Ayacucho (Perú) 2023-2025. 👏

Por su excelente trabajo, Fiorela recibió el reconocimiento de tesis distinguida, mención otorgada a los proyectos de investigación con los mejores puntajes ✨💜

Su investigación fue asesorada por Cristina Vega y contó con la lectura académica de Janine Anderson y Diego Castro