Distinguished Young Women

Distinguished Young Women, based in Mobile, AL, is the oldest and largest national scholarship program for high school girls. With a mission to empower young women to develop their full potential, they offer over $1 billion in college scholarship opportunities each year. In addition to scholarships, they provide Life Skills Workshops to equip participants with valuable skills for success beyond high school.

Distinguished Young Women inspires young women by encouraging continued education, showcasing excellence in academic achievement, physical fitness, on-stage performance skills, and effective communication. Their focus is on building self-confidence, interviewing skills, public speaking abilities, stage performance, and interpersonal relationships. The organization is led by a dedicated group of volunteers, staff members, and directors who work year-round at the local, state, and national levels.

Originally founded as America’s Junior Miss in 1958, Distinguished Young Women has grown into the largest and oldest scholarship program of its kind for high school girls. Notable alumnae include Governor of Alabama Kay Ivey, television broadcast journalist Diane Sawyer, and CEO of Blaze Nanxi Liu. Join Distinguished Young Women in their mission to support and inspire young women to achieve their educational goals