McLarty Scholars for 2017 chosen

Three people have been named McLarty Scholars for 2017, enabling them to live and work in Washington.

Two University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service students, Mollie Henager of Conway and Emily Smith of Little Rock, will hold semester-long fellowships at Vital Voices Global Partnership.

A Clinton School graduate, Yvonne Quek, will complete a yearlong fellowship at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. Quek, originally from Singapore, was a McLarty Scholar last year as well, working at Vital Voices.

Donna McLarty, a Texarkana native who co-founded Vital Voices, said the three recipients had all been “accomplished and engaged graduate students.”

“These women are true leaders who are passionately committed to both public service and women’s empowerment on their campuses, in their communities and on their international projects,” she said in a written statement.

Vital Voices says it “identifies, trains, and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe.”

The Washington-based nonprofit group focuses on political and public leadership, human rights and economic opportunity.

The Georgetown institute, on the other hand, “examines and highlights the roles and experiences of women in peace and security worldwide through cutting edge research, global convenings and strategic partnerships.”

The McLarty fellowships were created in 2002 by McLarty and her husband, former White House chief of staff Mack McLarty; their sons, Franklin and Mark; their daughter-in-law Gabriela; and their granddaughter Brianna.