Women Over 40 Get a Chance

With so many people out of work, many foundations are stepping up support for social services and other basic needs. Wal-Mart Foundation, which has been known to support women's employment initiatives, is now focusing on helping low-income women in later life get a toe-hold in this harsh economy.

The foundation has announced a grant of $1.5 million to the AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program, according to a press release. The grant will provide 450 women over age 40 job training and other educational opportunities.

The AARP's Program is dedicated to helping mature women thrive, as women are nearly twice as likely to face poverty in their retirement years as are men. The program provides scholarship funding to women with limited financial resources, covering tuition, fees and books for community and four-year colleges and universities, as well as technical and vocational schools. Last year, the program's first, over 100 women were awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.

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