Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

GM Women’s Retail Network Expands Scholarship Program

Industry-leading initiative recruits and trains women for automotive retail careers
Sep 2, 2014 10:35 AM ET
Campaign: GM Diversity
Randigale Smith, Dunlap, Ill., is one of nine women awarded a 2014 General Motors “Drive to Succeed” scholarship. The program supports women who seek careers in automotive retailing. Smith is enrolled in the GM Automotive Service Educational Program at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill.

DETROIT, September 2, 2014 /3BL Media/  –  General Motors’ Women’s Retail Network has awarded a record nine scholarships totaling $24,000 for 2014 to women seeking automotive retailing careers as part of its “Drive to Succeed” program.

GM, its dealers and other partners have presented nearly $75,000 in scholarships since 2011 to women in the U.S. and Canada. An industry first, the program has grown steadily and is helping to increase the number of women qualified to enter automotive retailing, including sales, marketing, management and other technical fields.

This year, for the first time, the program includes Canada, while the number of scholarships increased 30 percent and the financial contribution increased 40 percent compared to 2013.

The 2014 scholarship winners are:

  • Lisa Bodamer, Eagle River, Wis.
  • Sandra Giron, Downey, Calif.
  • Sara Landry, Bay City, Mich.
  • Alexandra Morse, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
  • Christina Salmon, Midland, Mich.
  • Laura Sandall, Princeville, Ill.
  • Sheryl Sickels, Adrian, Mo.
  • Randigale Smith, Dunlap, Ill.
  • Bethany Toups, Rochester, N.Y.

The winners include a military veteran, mothers, dealership employees and a few repeat winners, according to Celeste Briggs, director of the GM Women’s Retail Network.

“This effort has expanded and become more inclusive,” Briggs said. “Women with various experiences and interests are welcome. Our candidates reflect the diversity of our female customers, which is a key to the program’s success.”

Two new scholarships were added for 2014, the GM Financial scholarship and the “Patsy’s Promise” scholarship sponsored by Patsy Williamson of Patsy Lou Buick-GMC in Flint, Mich. Ally Financial continued its third year of sponsorship.

More information about the GM Women’s Retail Network “Drive to Succeed” scholarship program is available at http://www.gmsac.com.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.