Whom You Know: Talbots Awards $180,000 in College Scholarships to Deserving Women 2010 Finalists Convey Determination, Imagination and Creative Conviction

Monday, June 21, 2010

Talbots Awards $180,000 in College Scholarships to Deserving Women 2010 Finalists Convey Determination, Imagination and Creative Conviction

Women’s specialty retailer Talbots (NYSE: TLB) announced today the winners of the 2010 Talbots Women’s Scholarship Foundation, a program that empowers women to enrich themselves through learning by obtaining an education later in life. Through this program, the company is rewarding $180,000 in college scholarships to deserving women. A total of 11 scholarships are being awarded for the 2010 academic year, including ten $15,000 scholarships and one $30,000 Nancy Talbot Scholarship Award for creativity, conviction and an entrepreneurial spirit (named in memory of the company’s founder).

“Chosen for their determination, imagination and unique ways of expressing themselves, this year’s scholarship recipients stood out in so many ways, from the circumstances they’ve overcome to their individual aspirations, everything from video-gaming and environment-friendly apparel, to animal rescue efforts and work with women’s shelters,” said Lori Wagner, Chief Marketing Officer, Talbots. “What do they have in common? A mind that reimagines the world as they know it. Each woman, in her own way, is on a dedicated path to transform tradition, a mindset Talbots honors every day and is very happy to reward."

Following are the recipients of the 2010 scholarships: Deunan Berkeley, Redmond, WA; Michelle Brignone, Hooper, UT; Kate Brown, South Portland, ME; Lee Aren Brown, Lexington KY; Quinn Graungaard, Toronto, ON; Sheila Gray, Gardena, CA; Tracey Hartley, Marshall, MO; Maria Jimenez, Clarksville, TN; Deborah Lockard, Loveland CO; Rachel Mathia, Chicago, IL (the Nancy Talbot Scholarship Award winner); and Jeanette Tan, Sebastopol, CA.

Despite having graduated high school more than ten years ago, each woman shared their educational and career goals in essay questions. As our top finalist conveying a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Ms. Mathia is the recipient of the $30,000 Nancy Talbot Scholarship Award. She dropped out of school at 19 and is currently a visual merchandising manager in retail. Ms. Mathia plans to take Mandarin lessons and work as a sourcing manager, with the hopes to open a sustainable fashion company utilizing recycled and eco friendly materials.

Ms. Lockard, a $15,000 scholarship recipient, overcame 13 years of physical and emotional abuse, and is currently enrolled at the Colorado State University. She is studying for her LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Ms. Brignone, another $15,000 scholarship recipient, has been working a full-time, minimum wage job after her company declared bankruptcy in 2009. She will be attending Brigham Young University where she hopes to obtain a degree in International Relations with an emphasis on environmental issues.

The finalists were chosen by Scholarship for America and the Talbots Scholarship 2010 Board of Judges, which included Christa Carone, chief marketing officer for Xerox corporation; Jean Chatzky, financial expert; Barbara Corcoran, founder The Corcoran Group;Kelly Corrigan, author; Dayle Haddon, L’oreal spokesperson and author; Dr. Pamela Peeke, Discovery Health TV Chief Medical Correspondent; Lesley Jane Seymour, editor –in-chief of More Magazine; and Trudy Sullivan, President and CEO of The Talbots, Inc.

The Talbots Charitable Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of women. The Foundation serves the community by providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations supporting the education, health and cultural enrichment of women. Sponsored by the Talbots Charitable Foundation, the Talbots Women’s Scholarship Foundation has helped over 600 women pursue their educational dreams since its inception in 1997.

The Talbots, Inc. is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s apparel, shoes and accessories. At the end of the first quarter of 2010, the Company operated 579 Talbots brand stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. The Company’s online shopping site is located at www.talbots.com.

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