top of page

Karen Evon Scholarship

As a coalition, we strive to promote and celebrate diversity in the field of human lactation. In 2021 we launched the Karen Evon Scholarship Fund as way to both honor a longtime Sacramento lactation professional and as a way to  support diversity in the lactation community in Sacramento.  Each year we issue a total of $1000 in scholarship funds.  The SBC will award $500 to one person to use towards the costs of the IBCLC exam and $500 to one person to use towards a Certified Lactation Educators (CLE) certification.  The award money will be coordinated with each winner and will be paid directly to the program.

2023 Scholarship Winners

Almetria Turner

Almetria Turner is a multi-hyphenate wellness disruptHER, full spectrum doula, registered yoga teacher, marathoner, childbirth and lactation educator, run and wellness coach redefining holistic and maternal health to improve better performance, positive outcomes and healthier lifestyles. She is the proud owner Fit and Finally Free, a lifestyle, weight management and fitness company, Roots + River Wellness, a full spectrum doula and perinatal service and Morning by Mourning an end of life and pregnancy loss doula service that provides physical, emotional, informational and sometimes spiritual support to compassionately help guide the terminally ill, pregnant people and their loved ones through the dying, loss and grieving process. She earned her BA and MA degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Memphis, a Certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship from Cornell University and a Certificate in Community Health from Vanderbilt University. She holds several other certifications in maternal and mental health, lactation, fitness, running, yoga and nutrition. Currently, Almetria is a member of the Junior League, Association of Junior Leagues International Women of Color Affinity Group, the Training Collaborative of Junior Leagues, Yoga Alliance, USA Track and Field Association, Postpartum Support International's Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, the Shades of Blue Project, Running Industry Diversity Coalition, Team Game Changers Women of Color Certified RRCA Running Coach Mentors, the National Association of Community Health Workers, ForbesBLK, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is the author of an E-book entitled, "How to Shop, Cook and Eat Healthy on a Budget," a E-Cookbook, "The Healthy Budgetnista. 25 Recipes for Busy People on the Go" and she's a co-author of "Storealities: A Collection of Stories By Empowering Women to Empower Women" and "Beyond the Loss: Breaking the Stigma of Depression and Suicide."

Blanca Papas

Blanca Papas finished her lactation education in August 2023 through UC San Diego and will take the IBCLC exam in April 2024. I originally graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Management. After breastfeeding my two children, however, I knew I wanted a career change in the future. She is thrilled at the opportunity to help others succeed in their breastfeeding journeys. She speaks Spanish and hopes to become a resource for the Latinx communities. Almetria's son was born with a congenital heart defect she hopes to serve medically fragile babies in the NICU and beyond.

Application period is CLOSED

The application period for the 2023 scholarship is currently closed. 

 

The deadline for submitting applications was September 15, 2023.

Filling Out a Form

Previous Scholarship Recipients

2022

Kandice Rayna Jones & Talia Bikul

2021

Olivia Turner & Devony Canlas

bottom of page