Arika Hagel of Great Falls, Abigail “Abby” Majerus of Lewistown, Isabelle Melton of Helena, Sydney Resel of Belgrade, Sue Ann Streufert of Bozeman, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Wade of Polson will receive a total of $5,000 to further their leadership skills from the “Judy Martz Women in Leadership Fund.”  This is the second year the fund has distributed awards.

The awards commemorate former Governor Judy Martz, Montana’s first and only female state executive, who passed away October 2017.  The Martz Fund was established in her memory to provide leadership development resources for Montana women.

Hagel and Wade will receive funds for their Principal certificates at UM, while Melton will get assistance for continuing coursework in the Davidson Honors College program at UM.

Resel and Streufert will receive funding to continue their REAL Montana training through MSU and Majerus will receive funds to pay for Leadership Montana training.

“The quality of applicants is a testament to the inspiration of our late Governor Judy Martz”, said Kathy Brown, chair of the Martz Fund Committee.  “We had a number of excellent applications to review, and the follow-up interviews were rewarding as well.”

The committee to oversee this award dedicated hours to the process, which included reviewing all applications and conducting personal interviews.  Funds will be disbursed from Reach Higher Montana, the repository for the Martz Fund and a participant in the committee and applications process.

“We are grateful to all the contributors to this fund so far,” said Brown.  Contributions to the Martz Fund by check are welcome at Montana Foundation, PO Box 1881, Helena MT  59624-1881.