Two Years Later, Reflections on Receiving the Wendy Day Scholarship

Written by Megan Hamilton, November 22, 2021

In February of 2020, I had a life changing experience in form of the Wendy Day Memorial Scholarship. I can still remember the day Sara Weston called me and told me I had won, the first thing out of my mouth was, “I’ve never even been on a plane.” For a small-town girl to suddenly be thrust into Washington D.C. alone and expected to navigate an entire week of excitement seemed impossible, but after a warm conversation with Sara I felt like I could do the impossible. That’s what women in this industry; do we build each other up, Sara had never even met me and here she was coaching me on the phone so that I could do this.

               So, I did it; I got on the plane alone and I traveled the city the first day alone, and I checked into my hotel, and I remember sliding down the door and crying because I did it. I had made it. I can’t tell you everyone’s name I met that week, I can’t even tell you every meal I had because it was whirlwind. It was a life changing experience, and I don’t take that lightly. I met women from all different backgrounds and expertise in 911 and I was awe struck. Could I be as great as these women? It seemed so hard to me, I’m a single parent of 3 children and I never realized women could lead and be a force to be reckoned with AND be a mother. It was a total mind bender for me to see powerful women who also had families, hobbies, and even side hustles.

               I went home after that week and I sobbed because I knew I was coming home a different person. I was ready and fired up to balance everything on my plate and get myself out there. Since attending I have become an active member of 911der Women, from blogging to posting on the page, to sending smile mail. I was featured on Within the Trenches podcast, and Ricardo Martinez graciously let me host my own session for the Dare to be Great virtual conference in front of thousands of people! I even fangirled when Halcyon Frank mentioned my name in a Denise Amber Lee Feel Good Friday episode! I’m reaching other women without trying, I am making friends with women from across the industry, I even had a fellow 911 dispatcher mention me a few weeks ago when it comes to dressing classy in this industry. It has been amazing to see what a little bit of confidence gained in my hour of need did for my self-esteem.

               I have since been dealt a few tough times, and I made the decision to leave my center for a bigger center and without this experience I never would have had the confidence to take such a big step. If you are thinking of applying for this scholarship, there is absolutely nothing you will lose from this experience and you have everything to gain. Go after it sis, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.

Learn more about Megan’s experience at 911 Goes To Washington in Episode 311 of the Within The Trenches Podcast here: https://www.withinthetrenches.net/podcast

If you are a woman in your first five years as a 911 professional, you can apply for the Wendy Day Memorial Scholarship here: https://www.nena.org/news/476062/NENA-Announces-2022-Wendy-Day-Memorial-Scholarship-for-NENAGTW.htm