Rosalie Fish Earns Truman Scholarship

SEATTLE — University of Washington track and field junior Rosalie Fish has been selected for the prestigious Truman Scholarship, awarded nationwide to students on the basis of leadership skills, demonstrated civic engagement, academic potential and a desire to pursue a career in public service.
 
A highly competitive award, only 58 students were selected nationwide this year for the Truman Scholarship from more than 705 nominations. The scholarship recognizes aspiring leaders driven to make change at the systems level. Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate school, mentoring and additional benefits to help prepare them for careers where they can make an impact.

This is the third consecutive year that students from the UW were recognized with this national award, but the first for a Husky student-athlete.

 

“We are very proud to see Rosalie’s outstanding leadership and advocacy work recognized by the Truman Foundation,” said UW President Ana Mari Cauce. “In the classroom, in her community and on the field, she is helping to raise awareness of the plight of missing and murdered Indigenous people, and we know she will continue to do great things with the support of this scholarship.”

 

Fish, from Auburn, Wash., is a social welfare major in the School of Social Work. A member of the Cowlitz Tribe and a descendent of the Muckleshoot Tribe, Fish has raised awareness around the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and has generated national attention by painting a red handprint across her face and the letters “MMIW” on her leg during competition. Fish redshirted the fall cross country season and the indoor track season, racing once unattached in the Dempsey this year.

 

“By being selected for the Truman scholarship, it sends a message to Indigenous peoples everywhere that we belong in the social service profession. We have the power to act as leaders, world changers, and positions of influence — despite the adversities and systemic barriers we face,” Fish said. “With this opportunity, I will continue to devote my life to Indigenous…