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Scholarships were presented to mentees in the WIE Mentorship Program during Wednesday’s star-studded event at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
By Carly Thomas
Associate Editor
Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Zurawski and Kerry Washington presented $1 million in college scholarships to high school students from underserved communities across Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The announcement was made at The Hollywood Reporter’s 2024 Women in Entertainment breakfast gala, presented by Lifetime, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The event is held in conjunction with the publication of this year’s Women in Entertainment Power 100 list.
Oscar-winning actress Lawrence kicked off the scholarship’s presentation, which were handed out to participants in THR’s mentorship program, a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. She first took a moment to express that she is “honored to share the stage” with Zurawski, one of several women suing Texas over its abortion ban after being denied abortion care after facing severe and dangerous pregnancy complications. The 2024 documentary feature film Zurawski v. State of Texas, which Lawrence produced, focuses on the lawsuit.
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“Though she was forced to endure something no person should ever, she walked away from that experience with an unwavering commitment to justice and the resilience and strength, to share her experience in the hopes that other women wouldn’t suffer the same way she did,” Lawrence said. “By this definition, she and the other women in Zurawski v. Texas, are heroes.”
The Hunger Games star added, “Amanda’s fight is more than just her own; it’s a fight for all women who are powerless against an unjust system. For women who are victims to society’s silence and apathy for women. Her bravery in the face of adversity reminds us all that one person — one woman — can spark the change we need to see in the world.”
Zurawski later joined Lawrence onstage, where she opened up about her personal story. “By sharing my personal story with all of you, I want you to know: The power of your voice and your choices are never small,” she said. “To the young women here today, especially those of you in the mentorship program: you have the potential to change everything. … You have the power to demand more — for your health, your education, your careers, your futures — and no one should ever take that power away from you.”
Following a heartfelt mentorship program video produced by A+E Studios, Lawrence revealed that Lifetime is giving every girl graduating from the program a $10,000 scholarship of their choice. After the audience erupted in cheers, the No Hard Feelings actress also announced that every member in the mentorship program will also be getting a brand-new Apple MacBook Air, drawing more applause.
The first scholarship of the morning was also presented by Lawrence, which was for Loyola Marymount University and generously provided by The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. Leslie was the recipient, though Lawrence drew laughter from the crowd for announcing the winner a bit too early, though she quickly recovered, turning it into a playful moment.
Zurawski revealed the recipient of the second scholarship from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation to Loyola Marymount University, which ultimately went to Josie.
Emmy-winning actress Kerry Washington, who received the Equity in Entertainment award last year, was next to take to the stage to announce the final two scholarships of the morning. Speaking directly to the mentees, she says, “I just want every single one of you to know that you are a winner. I want every single one of you to know … if you ever have a moment where you walk into a room and you feel like you don’t belong, remember this moment because you are the guest of honor. You belong in every room that you wind up in.”
The Scandal alum also announced that the Best Buy team and CEO Corie Barry have launched a partnership with the mentorship program that will give mentees access to their Los Angeles Community Impact Hub, a network of 12 Teen Tech Centers that provide for the use of technology and career exploration opportunities. In addition, she acknowledged The Golden Globe Foundation and WME for its support of the mentorship program.
Washington later revealed the recipient for the next scholarship to Chapman University, generously provided by the National Association of Theatre Owners of California and Nevada. It went to Kenya.
The fourth and final scholarship of the morning was to Loyola Marymount University and created by writer and executive producer, Melissa Blake, who is also an LMU alum. Bryanna was the recipient.
More than 250 girls and 250 mentors have taken part in the Women in Entertainment program, while the mentees have gone on to attend universities including Harvard, UC Berkeley and Northwestern, supported by more than $12 million that THR has raised in scholarships.
THR’s Women in Entertainment was presented by Lifetime, and the gala was sponsored by Best Buy, Delta Air Lines, Rare Beauty, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Sephora and WME and in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Entertainment Industry Foundation, Gersh, Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University.
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