WSO BIPOC and WOMEN's SCHOLARSHIP
In partnership with USAW, the DMV WSO Committee will be awarding up to eight coaching education scholarships BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and women in the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. area who can demonstrate a commitment to growing the sport of weightlifting. Each scholarship covers the tuition cost of either the USAW Level 1 or Level 2 Coach Certification courses ($549) as well as one year of USAW membership for non-members. Any travel or non-tuition expenses are not covered.
The scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria.
-
Applicants must be 17 years of age or older, identify as a female or a member of the BIPOC community, and live in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C.
-
Applicants who are or plan to work with underserved populations in a weightlifting or sport capacity are preferred.
-
Applicants with less than 5 years of coaching experience are preferred.
-
Applicants with experience in the sport of weightlifting as an athlete or as a coach are preferred.
-
Applicants with high levels of coaching success, social impact through sport, and/or academic achievement in sport are preferred.
-
The following application must be submitted by Monday, April 20, 2026 to be considered.
The scholarship applications are reviewed and chosen by members of the DMV WSO Committee. Applicants must meet all requirements, deadlines, and complete the following application to be considered for one of these scholarships.
Application Period: Monday, March 23 through Monday, April 20, 2026
Please reach out to committee@dmvweightlifting.org if you have any questions about the scholarships or application process.
Sample Responses
Below are examples of responses to select questions by successful applicants to the 2025 WSO Scholarships. While your responses should be dictated by your own lived experiences, we hope that providing these will inspire you to be thoughtful in your responses.
What groups, communities, or demographics do you currently, or plan to, coach? I currently coach CrossFit classes consisting of age ranges 11-70 years old. I have personal training clients whom are middle and high school athletes as well as women in their 40's. My goal is to offer 3 weekly Olympic lifting sessions for middle school, high school and adults. My daughter and I have a plan to host quarterly workshops and summer camps open to the youth in Baltimore City and the County and Train the Trainer sessions for area coaches. -Gwen
Why did you start coaching weightlifting, or why are you interested in coaching weightlifting? I have been recently accepted to Louisiana State University, Shreveport to begin my journey toward becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. This decision wasn’t simply based on my academic and athletic interests but was driven by my deep desire to help others and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As a Black woman entering the healthcare field, I feel a personal responsibility to contribute positively to my community and pave the way for others who share similar aspirations. One of my goals is to earn my USAW Level 1 certification, and weightlifting coaching is a natural extension of my passion for helping others. My coach, Cara Heads Slaughter, has been a huge inspiration to me. Her approach to coaching goes beyond the physical aspect of weightlifting; she’s taken the time to understand me as a person, not just an athlete. Her methods and care have made me realize the impact a coach can have, not only in teaching a sport but in empowering individuals to grow and achieve their goals. I aspire to be a weightlifting coach to offer the same support and guidance to others, especially young black athletes who are new to the sport and need that same personalized mentorship. I am eager to help others build confidence, strength, and resilience, just as I have gained from my own experience. This scholarship will help me take the next step in both my athletic and professional journey, ultimately contributing to my broader goal of improving lives through physical therapy, coaching, and service to my community. -Wynter
What makes you an exceptional candidate for this scholarship? I'm an exceptional candidate for this scholarship because I have a combination of athletic experience, a deep connection to the Deaf community, and passion for fostering inclusivity in weightlifting. I have been a competitive athlete for most of my life, playing competitive softball and transitioning into olympic weightlifting, which I've been dedicated to for almost six years. This kind of background has given me a strong understanding of training and the impact that weightlifting has on athletes. Being hard-of-hearing, fluent in ASL, and deeply connected to the Deaf community has opened my eyes to the importance of accessible coaching and creating a space where Deaf athletes are supported. Through my internship, I have gained hands-on experience coaching Deaf athletes, while taking initiative to make a safe space for Deaf women as well. This scholarship would allow me to continue growing as a coach and expand weightlifting & sport opportunities within the Deaf community and beyond. I believe the Deaf community deserves to have access to high-quality coaching. -Lacey
How do you plan to use this scholarship to grow the sport of weightlifting in your community? I will host a weightlifting clinic at the Gold’s Gym, where I work. Depending on the success of that clinic, I’ll design a recurring weightlifting class that I’ll host in 4–6-week cycles throughout the year. I’ve already spoken with my immediate supervisor, who fully supports this plan post-certification! Depending on the success of the first clinic, I'll also host women-specific weightlifting clinics to promote more women in strength training! -Callie