Sedalia Business Women Scholarships
Each year Sedalia Business Women awards scholarships based on financial need and available funds. Applications are on our Resources page at Sedaliabwm.org and must be returned by the date on the form.
Congratulations to the SBW Scholarship Recipients! 2026-2027
The scholarship recipients are (from left to right): Erica Franklin, Kiley Sidwell, Crystal Brown, Chaundra Shults, and JoDee Lynn.
Erica Franklin
My name is Erica Franklin, and I am 22 years old. I am married, and my husband and I are excited to welcome our first child. I would describe myself as faith- oriented, hardworking, and compassionate. My priorities are God, my family, and serving others. I currently work as a server while continuing my education.
My goal is to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant and eventually an Occupational Therapist. After experiencing personal hardships, including the loss of my brother and seeing the challenges my family faced, I discovered a passion for helping others regain their independence and improve their quality of life. Returning to school during a high-risk pregnancy has strengthened my determination and resilience. I hope to inspire my daughter and other busy parents by showing that, with faith, dedication, and perseverance, it is never too late to pursue your dreams.
Kylie Sidwell
I am honored to be selected as a recipient of this year’s Sedalia Business Women scholarship. My recovery journey has shaped who I am today and inspired my commitment to helping women who face similar challenges to those I have. Through rebuilding my life, I learned how deeply mental health, addiction, trauma, and partner abuse can intertwine and how powerful it is when women receive support without judgment. This fall, I will begin my Bachelor of Social Work program with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker focused on women’s mental health, recovery, and safety. I hope to advocate for women who feel trapped or unheard, expand access to trauma‑informed care, and help survivors regain stability, confidence, and independence. This scholarship supports my education and strengthens my ability to serve women in our community who deserve healing and hope.
Crystal Brown
My home life wasn’t great, and like most 17-year-olds, I thought I knew everything. I dropped out of high school, moved out, and was just trying to survive as a homeless teenager working dead-end fast-food jobs. I married young and by my daughter’s first birthday, I left the abusive marriage. I’ve been with my best friend Daniel since 2008. We have two children together and he accepted my oldest as his. Daniel’s mom introduced to me the wonderful world of healthcare and being an N.A. I absolutely enjoyed my job for the first time. In 2009, I obtained my C.N.A. I finally received my GED in 2022!! The next step was obtaining CMT in 2023. I loved being in healthcare and taking care of and advocating for residents. I asked my administrator, Kristen West, to help me with nursing school and was beyond excited with her response. With Kristen’s help, the board of Sylvia G. Thompson, and Sedalia Business Women, my goal can be achieved. Thank you all for blessing my life. Who knows maybe I will see RN in my future.
Chaundra Shults
I am a married mother of three and a grandmother of two who has been working in the field of Diagnostic Imaging for almost 20 years. I chose this career because I enjoy helping others and making a positive difference in the lives of my patients during what can often be a very stressful time. I am pursuing higher education to expand my knowledge, strengthen my skills, and open the door to new opportunities in healthcare. Balancing family, work, and school has taught me perseverance, resilience, and the importance of lifelong learning. I am excited to continue growing in my career in Nuclear Medicine while making a meaningful impact on the patients and communities I serve. I am so thankful to the committee for choosing me as one of the scholarship recipients!
JoDee Lynn
My name is JoDee Lynn, and I am currently completing the AND program at State Fair Community College to obtain my RN license. I currently work as an LPN at Western Missouri Medical Center. My goal is to begin my career as a labor and delivery nurse before continuing my education to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife. I am passionate about providing quality care while empowering women through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. I am pursuing these goals to help ensure more women have access to quality healthcare and feel heard, respected, and valued throughout their journey. My education is also driven by my desire to build a brighter future for my son. I would not have come this far without the support of my husband, and I am very grateful for his encouragement. I am truly honored to receive this scholarship and appreciate your investment in my education.
