"We are pleased to help women finish their college education," Grace O'Leary, an association member, said.

Each recipient received a scholarship of $1,500. Five of the six recipients are attending San José State University, the other Santa Clara University.

Judy Chirco, District 9 councilwoman, spoke at the Sept. 10 event at the First Congregational Church on Hamilton Avenue.

"This was my first event with the association," Chirco said.

Chirco could connect with the scholarship recipients, who were returning to college later in life.

"I was a returning student myself," she said. Chirco graduated from San José State University in 1994.

"I had no idea of the depth and breadth of the association," Chirco said. "It was a wonderful learning experience in regards to the association, its projects and involvement with the community."

The association, headquartered in Willow Glen on Minnesota Avenue, awards scholarships annually, and its recipients can apply for them multiple times.

That helped scholarship recipient Janice Oakley, a Rose Garden resident and scholarship recipient. She is attending San José State University and is majoring in child development. Oakley will receive a bachelor's degree in child development for her 50th birthday.

"This scholarship has empowered me," she said. "It has been a way for my children and I to relate. I used to read them books when they were little and now I'm still reading books with them, only now they are college texts," she said.

Oakley said going back to school was like having another child.

"In nine months, I will be getting something very sweet--my degree," she said.