Pearl Berlin Scholarship

The Pearl Berlin Scholarship honors Pearl Berlin and her lifetime of work as a fearless advocate for LGBTQ rights, marriage equality, and education. The scholarship is dedicated to celebrating and supporting continuing education for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied students who exhibit courage and leadership in their schools and communities. Pearl Berlin and her partner of 52 years, Ellen 'Lennie' Gerber, of High Point, were plaintiffs in the lawsuit that upended North Carolina's Amendment One, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. The scholarship(s) are awarded in the spring to graduating, college-bound seniors who have demonstrated leadership in the LGBTQ community. Multiple scholarships up to $1,000 or a single scholarship up to $3,000 will be awarded each spring, with the number and amount determined by the scholarship committee based on the quality and quantity of applicants.