A Reference for my Friend

I was going through my old files on my computer when I happened across several letters I'd written to Muff. One was this reference letter I wrote for her back in 2004, in hopes she'd be able to get some scholarship money to continue her education.
Here it is:

February, 2004


Dear Business and Professional Women of Iowa Foundation,

I am writing on behalf of Rosemarie Larson, whom I have known since 1980, when we both attended Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Ms. Larson graduated with a degree in history and literature, and no student could have worked harder than she did to obtain her degrees. While most students sought ways to lighten their work load, Ms. Larson would consistently add to the already weighty reading lists, look for ways to do more research, or to further enrich source material for class. Her professors and classmates at Clarke always found her diligence remarkable and admirable, and Ms. Larson was a popular study partner and friend of many on campus, setting an example many tried to follow.

She is currently working hard to become bilingual, with Spanish language study, she is on the Deans List for academic achievement, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and has completed, with the highest marks, four criminal justice courses. Ms. Larson voluntarily left a dead-end job to improve her skills and gain more knowledge so that she might obtain a better job in the medical or criminal justice fields.

I’ve been the lifestyle and business reporter for the Mercer Island Reporter, a well-respected weekly newspaper in Washington State for nearly 7 years. I’ve won 5 awards for journalism from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, Western Washington Chapter. I’m also a published freelance writer with 17 years of experience, writing articles on everything from cooking to CEOs for local and regional newspapers, magazines and web sites. I am married to a broadcast journalist and have a four-year-old son, Nicholas, who is Ms. Larson’s godson. My husband and I felt that her strong spirituality and intellectual integrity would be beneficial to our son.

I highly recommend Ms. Rosemarie Larson for the Professional Women of Iowa scholarship. During her management career, I know that Ms. Larson exemplified the dignified and polished professional woman, and I believe strongly that she will become an even greater force in whatever company is fortunate enough to hire her after graduation. Her intelligence, faith, compassion and professional demeanor will serve to make her an employee who rises to top levels wherever she goes.

I hope that your organization will consider becoming a part of her journey back to the workforce.

Sincerely,

DeAnn G. Rossetti