2009 RECIPIENTS

Brandeis is pleased to announce the 2009 Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice W.O.W. Fellows:

Jenna Brofsky '10, Development for a Civil Society, Kazakhstan

Marnina Cowan '10, Just Vision, DC

Shaina Gilbert '10, Organation to Support the Development of the Plateau, Haiti

Julie Goodman '11, American Jewish World Service, NYC

Boots Janoowalla '10, Wem Community Based Organization, Haiti

Anum Khan '10, UNICEF, Canada

Tamar Levkovich '12, B'Tselem, Israel

Paul Norton '11, The KIMbia Foundation, Kenya

Hilda Poulson '10, Community Partners, Los Angeles

Shanna Rifkin '11, NARAL Massachusetts, Boston

Tiffany Roberts '11, Grameen Bank, Bangladesh

Sophie Rosenberg '10, Refugee & Immigrant Community Services, Chicago

Adam Ross '10, Israel Religious Action Center, Israel

Erin Ross '10, Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, NYC

Molly Schnieder '11, Community Change, Inc., Boston

Benjamin Serby '10, United for a Fair Economy, Boston

Rachel Sier '11, Citizen Action Illinois, Chicago

Rebecca Sturgis '11, National Coalition for the Homeless, DC

Elisette Weiss '10, Feminist Majority Foundation, Arlington, VA

Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice WOW


brandeis There is in most...some spark of idealism, which can be fanned into a flame. It takes sometimes a divining rod to find what it is; but when found, and that means often, when disclosed to the owners, the results are often most extraordinary.
-Louis D. Brandeis



Applications are no longer being accepted.  Please check back next year!

The Louis D. Brandeis Social Justice WOW Fellowship is a prestigious grant of $3,500/$4,000 to support undergraduates performing an unpaid, full-time summer internship in an agency whose mission addresses issues of social justice.  These awards are supported by the Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice, which supports a wide-range of activities that reflect the University's and our namesake's, commitment to Social Justice.

The cohort of 15-20 recipients will participate in several events as a group before and after the internship, and each student is encouraged, but not required, to work with a faculty member in the fall by enrolling in an internship course to academically build on their summer experience.  All course enrollments require approval before you begin the internship. International Students, due to Visa requirements, may not enroll in a fall course for a summer internship.  Approved students with a topic-related internship have the option of enrolling in:

Applicant Characteristics:

Desirable candidates for the The Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice WOWs are those who can clearly articulate their interest in the issues of social justice and their understanding of the skill sets and commitment sometimes needed to make change within social justice organizations. We are particularly looking for mature students who can prioritize effectively and follow through with commitments and who would be excellent ambassadors of Brandeis and Justice Brandeis’ personal commitment to social justice and personal integrity.

Recipient Requirements:

  • Pre-departure Meeting April 28, 5-7pm
  • Mid-summer check-in by phone
  • 6-8 page Analytical Report/Journal by August 15th (WOW reports will be bound and shared with members and supporters of the Brandeis community such as students, faculty, administrators, and others interested in the WOW program. Your report will also be available to Brandeis and non-Brandeis readers on the Hiatt web site)
  • Evaluation from you and your site supervisor by August 15th.

Internship sites: 

  • Domestic/International internships will help students build skills within the constructs of social policy and advocacy as they learn and work in an organization that addresses issues of social and economic inequality.
  • For information on eligibility and selection criteria, go to the main WOW page.