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Elisabeth Bondy Civics Scholarship

The League of Women Voters of Kitsap is offering scholarships to individuals pursuing post secondary education. The Elisabeth Bondy Civics Scholarship honors a Life member of the Kitsap League who left a bequest to the League.

Elisabeth Bondy was a post WWII refugee from Germany and a naturalized American citizen. She was very involved civically in the Kitsap community and was passionate about citizen participation in local, state, and national government.

Scholarship Details

There are three awards in 2026. The winning essay will receive $2000; two honorable mentions will receive $750 each. Awards will be presented to the recipients in May.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must have a home address within Kitsap County.
Applicants must be a student graduating from high school in 2026 or an adult pursuing post secondary education
Applicants must be accepted or enrolled at a certified college or university, trade or technical education school, or other training program. Winners must provide proof of enrollment or acceptance prior to award.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Submit a completed application form with personal information.
Submit an essay in your own words, following the directions below.
All application materials must be submitted by 5:00pm on Friday, April 3, 2026.

DIRECTIONS FOR ESSAY

“The League of Women Voters reaffirms that the rights outlined in the Constitution belong to all people, without exception.”

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The First Amendment protects our

Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech and the press
Freedom to peacefully assemble
Freedom to petition the government if these rights are not upheld

Write an original essay of 250-500 words that addresses the following prompt:

How important are the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment in times of civil unrest?

In light of current events, do these protections affect your own or others’ participation in our democracy? Why or why not? Make an argument in support of your position.

Include evidence to support your argument.
Include personal examples that demonstrate how these rights support your participation in our democracy. These may be examples of how your own rights and/or those of others you know have been protected OR have been threatened while participating.

IMPORTANT:
The essay must be at least 250 words and no more than 500 words in length.
The essay must be your original work.
The essay must be submitted by 5:00pm on April 3, 2026.

Applications

There are two ways to apply: fill out the online form OR download the application file and submit it via email or US mail.

APPLY ONLINE

Fill out the online Bondy Scholarship Form (Google Form)

APPLY BY EMAIL/US MAIL
Download the application (in pdf or Word format), fill it out, and return to the Bondy Civics Scholarship Committee with your essay.

Download 2026 Bondy Scholarship Application - pdf

Download 2026 Bondy Scholarship Application - docx

Applications and essays can be emailed to bondyscholarship@gmail.com or sent via US Mail to our mailing address:

LWV of Kitsap
Bondy Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 1524
Poulsbo, WA 98370

About the League
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that provides voter information and encourages citizen participation in government. Members register voters, educate the public about the importance of voting, present civic education programs, and study issues of local interest. Membership is open to any person at least 16 years old who subscribes to the purposes and policies of the organization.