College Scholarship Opportunity

The Geraldine Madison Trailblazer Fund for Women in Journalism offers college scholarships for female students with ambitions of pursuing journalism or photography.

Donations to the Geraldine Madison Trailblazer Fund for Women in Journalism are tax deductible. Supporters can make a donation here.

Starting in May 2025, Coaching Detroit Forward is honored to partner with the Madison family to offer college scholarships in memory of Detroiter Geraldine Madison. At least $7,000 in funding will be awarded in this first year.

About Geraldine Madison:

As a young woman, Geraldine wanted to go to college after high school, but her dad said to her, "What do you need an education for? You're just a woman." When she was in her 50's, she enrolled in college while working full time, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Polish and Women's studies. She supported and encouraged her daughters and her granddaughter to pursue higher education. She supported her granddaughter Lindsay by co-signing all of her student loans, helping to pay those loans and offering her a gift of $7,000. Geraldine was an avid reader and a lifelong subscriber to The Detroit Free Press. She worked her magic to arrange a personal tour of the news station at WDIV-Detroit Channel 4 when her granddaughter was 9 years old and dreamt of being a news anchor. Born in 1926, Geraldine lived to nearly 100 years old. She loved journalism and empowering women, and her family created this scholarship to honor her legacy.

Application Requirements:

Young women who attended a Coaching Detroit Forward journalism or photography camp are eligible to apply for a 2025 college scholarship supported by the Geraldine Madison Trailblazer Fund for Women in Journalism. The application is open to alumni who are currently attending a college or university or high school seniors planning to attend a college or university in 2026. Funds can be used for college expenses, including room and board, tuition, books, class materials and other educational expenses.

Applications will be reviewed by the Madison family. The recipient will be notified by late October and will be asked to attend the Perspectives Magazine 2025 Launch Party on Nov. 14, 2025 at Playground Detroit to receive the scholarship in person. 

Please fill out the following application to apply for the scholarship. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1, 2025. To be eligible to apply, students must have attended a Coaching Detroit Forward program. Applicants must also write a short essay describing a matriarch in their lives who inspired them.