Events & Awards

Army Vet Wins 2017 WJA Female Veteran Grant

Events & AwardsJul 26, 2017

Army Vet Wins 2017 WJA Female Veteran Grant

Kim Kowalski was part of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and is now developing her own jewelry business.

New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has awarded $40,000 in grants and scholarships this year, and honored a number of those winners at Monday night’s Awards for Excellence gala.

The WJA Female Veteran Grant went to Kim Kowalski, who was a part of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.

Kowalski left the Army after a bad landing caused lower-body injuries and then became an occupational therapy assistant with help from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

She started making jewelry when she created a jewelry kit to help patients, but soon found that it also helped her manage her own obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Kowalski is now developing her own jewelry business as well, designing with found objects and non-traditional materials, and she hopes to be able to combine that with continued help for patients who need occupational therapy.

She will complete an independent study in studio arts at her local community college this fall.

When she took the stage at the WJA gala on Monday to accept her grant, Kowalski said the money was going to help her pay for classes and supplies she wouldn’t be able to otherwise afford, as well as a few pieces of equipment she’s “been daydreaming about for a few years.”

She also said the money is really helping two veterans: Her husband is also a vet who’s getting into jewelry, so any knowledge she gains can be passed on to him.  

“But beyond that--just the things that I can afford now--is the validation for me that, yeah, I really am doing something worthwhile, and people outside my family and friends believe in me and my ability to succeed,” she said.

Kowalski also talked about how proud and passionate she was about the work that she’s doing, a feeling she hopes to pass on to women who might defer to being humble and demur.

“I’m hoping with this grant that I can help change that,” she said from the podium Monday night. “I want my voice to be heard, I want my art to be seen, and I want to help other women learn to find themselves in art, no matter what kind, the way I’ve been able to.”

Meanwhile, the $5,000 merit-based 2017 Carelle-WJA Grant was awarded to Brooklyn-based jewelry designer Rachel Weld Newton, who creates wearable, sculptural pieces for her brand, Rachel Weld.

She was an architect, interior designer and ballet dancer before she

became a jewelry designer. She describes her aesthetic as a “juxtaposition of opposing forces,” pairing the hard edge against the feminine.

Carelle created the grant in honor of employee Brooke Tivol McGrath, who died in 2011 at age 28 from a rare blood infection.

Adrienne Sanogo also was named as the first 2017 Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship winner, and Sarah Silvey from WJA’s Twin Cities chapter won the Charlotte Preston “Gets It Done” Grant, a special grant given every year with funds from WJA and WJA's Twin Cities chapter in memory of the late Charlotte Preston.

Meanwhile, member grants are as followed, listed by the WJA chapter that submitted their names.
--Boston: Susan Warren
--Chicago: Nancy Hudson, Gayle Inbinder, Kelly Jacobson, Susanne Siegel
--Colorado: Katherine Whipple
--Dallas: Debra Navarro
--Florida: Maryann Scandiffio
--Los Angeles: Carol Koch, Kathleen Liu, Pheap Lorn-Canossi
--NY Metro: Marcia Budet, Denise Chislett, Asia Nail, Kristen Romans, Catherine Rudacille
--Northern California: Lilly Hoang, Olivia Shih
--Ohio/Kentucky: Meghan Carroll
--Providence: Marilyn Salvatore, Jaclyn St. Laurent, Suzanne Wernevi
--San Diego: Marreena Appleton, Rebecca Buys, Jennifer DeMoro, Janet Williams
--Seattle: Catherine Stam
--Twin Cities: Sara Commers, Diane Munsinger, Sarah Silvey, Kelly Williams       

WJA also granted scholarships to 11 women across three categories.

Designer/Creator Category
--$4,000 June Herman Award: Haiyin Liang of Virginia Commonwealth University
--$3,000 Peggy Kirby Award: Valerie James of Rhode Island School of Design
--$2000 Award: Sarah Spomer of Texas Tech
--$1,000 Award: Christina Fandino of Pasadena City College
--$1,000 Award: Alejandra Carrillo-Estrada of University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Designer Category
--$2,500 Award: Chen Lu Cao of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
--$1,000 Award: Carmen Liu of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)

Non-Designer Category
--$2,500 Award: Sicily Blakely of GIA
--$1,000 Award: Marei Dose of North Bennet St. School
--$1,000 Award: Angela Noble of GIA
--$1,000 Award: Molly Robinson of Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior College
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Harwell Godfrey Granny Square Eleanor Necklace
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Jack Abraham The Royal Ruby Collection
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las Vegas

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

DCA-student-cert-NJ1872x1052-2.png
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry Business

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Vaishali Banerjee and Pallavi Sharma
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership Team

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Meredith Tiderington
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship Recipient

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

The Gemological Institute of America’s logo
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown Diamonds

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Exterior of the Venetian and the Las Vegas Sphere
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 Sessions

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

JCK show
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Amy Curran
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The eight rings in Viviana Langhoff’s AU79 jewelry collection
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into Gold

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

Gold and diamond bangles on a pair of jeans
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

Woman’s hand holding shopping bags
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

Dakota Johnson as Roberto Coin Brand Ambassador
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand Ambassador

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

Mason Kay Jade necklace
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade Reports

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Gemfields ruby
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat Ruby

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Adobe Stock image of skyline of Bangkok, Thailand
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Seaman Schepps pearl earrings
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

David Allouche
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein Diamonds

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Zoë Chicco Bracelets
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable Environment

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ Necklace

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

Grizzly Mining Pilala emerald
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat Emerald

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy