Erin Moore is the winner of the 2024 Julie’s Helpers Memorial Scholarship for Navajo Women. Courtesy photo
BY JENNIFER HOLMES
JHMS Committee Member
Erin Moore from the Navajo Nation community of Twin Lakes has been chosen as the 2024 recipient of $2500 in scholarship aid from the Julie’s Helpers Memorial Scholarship Committee in Los Alamos. Erin is of the Tachiinii clan (Red Running into the Water People) and the Tligioo clan (Weaver People.) She graduated in May 2024 from the University Of New Mexico-Gallup with an AA degree in Human Services and Substance Abuse. She is currently enrolled at UNM
Albuquerque pursuing a degree in Psychology and Human Services.
The annual scholarship honors the memory of Julie Meadows, a young mother and LANL employee who died of a brain tumor in 2009. Julie had been inspired by the resilience of Navajo women she met and desired to invest in the education of women as change-makers on the Navajo Nation. Her family, church, friends and community have supported the scholarship for 13 years, raising more than $45,000 for 27 scholarships since 2011.
The scholarship committee was impressed with Erin’s perseverance in taking college classes for
20 years while raising five children, working to support her family and overcoming challenges of
growing up with limited career guidance and support. Erin noted that gaining sobriety in 2016 and her experience with domestic violence has inspired her to help others on the Navajo Nation in similar situations. She feels that her life’s journey coupled with professional degrees and certifications will help her guide and mentor those who may feel like giving up amidst their struggles.
Erin knows the value of mentoring and credits a relative of hers, Vicky Nez-Denetdale of Tohatchi, NM (her daughter’s “nali” or paternal grandmother) for spiritual and emotional guidance since her children were young. Nali Vicky’s spiritual guidance and support helped Erin maintain a GPA of 3.08 along with the assistance of tutoring programs through the TRIO program at UNM Gallup. She is not afraid to ask for help and though she at first felt that the JHMS application was daunting, she worked diligently to prepare the packet. It was hard to do, since she was finishing up her degree program at UNM-Gallup, has an 11-month-old baby and also was trying to make extra money by preparing and selling food items at local venues in Gallup. She was so thankful when she received the word that she was the 2024 winner.
“The scholarship is motivating to keep me going towards my goal, and it feels so good to be recognized!” she said in a recent interview.
Erin and her family hope to meet the Meadows family and members of White Rock Presbyterian
Church who administer the scholarship at the annual church picnic on August 25.
Scholarships are based on academic merit, dedication to serving the Navajo people and financial need. Donations are appreciated and can be made at https://julieshelpers.com/ or sent to White Rock Presbyterian Church, 310 Rover Blvd., White Rock NM 87547. One hundred per cent of donations go directly to the scholarship fund.