Empowering Women: Scholarships Available for Renewable Energy Careers

Key Takeaways

Rebecca Black established the Trellis Fund, providing scholarships for women in renewable energy.
The fund honors her late mother, who inspired Black’s commitment to community-building and storytelling.
Initial funding of $10,000 has expanded to $25,000, supporting various fields including engineering and energy policy.

Rebecca Black Launches Trellis Fund for Women in Renewable Energy

Rebecca Black, a prominent figure in the clean energy sector and owner of the eco-communications firm Black Current, has introduced the Trellis Fund to honor her mother, Veronica Gardner, who passed away in 2023. Growing up in Toronto, Black was inspired by her mother’s dedication to community-building and her talent for storytelling.

Despite a successful career spanning several decades, Black noted the underrepresentation of women in the predominantly male and technical renewable energy field. A decade ago, she co-founded Women In Renewable Energy (WIRE) to promote greater diversity within the sector.

In the wake of her mother’s death, Black sought to leverage her connections from WIRE to establish a scholarship program aimed at supporting women pursuing studies related to green energy. To kickstart the initiative, she donated $10,000, which funded four initial scholarships of $2,500 each. This led to the formation of the Trellis Fund, named in tribute to her mother’s gardening skills—symbolizing support and growth.

The scholarships are available to female postsecondary students in various disciplines linked to renewable energy, including engineering, energy policy, and wind turbine technology. The inaugural recipients highlight the fund’s commitment to fostering female talent in critical areas of clean energy.

So far, Black, alongside the advisory committee, has successfully raised $25,000 to further expand the scholarship offerings. To promote the fund and encourage more donations, a gala event is scheduled for March 13 in Toronto, coinciding with the opening of this year’s scholarship applications.

Black expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “It’s starting to ramp up and it’s exciting. It feels wonderful and I think my mom would be delighted.” The Trellis Fund aims to create a supportive network for aspiring women in renewable energy, fostering a more inclusive environment in the sector.

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