In the news release, Talbots Launches 11th Annual Women's Scholarship Fund to Help Women Return to College Later in Life issued earlier today by Talbots over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that there has been updated information added to the release. Complete, corrected release follows. HINGHAM, Mass., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Talbots today announced the launch of its 11th annual Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund, a program that annually awards $100,000 in college scholarships to women wanting to attend college later in life. Sponsored by the Talbots Charitable Foundation, this unique Scholarship Fund has awarded five $10,000 scholarships and fifty $1,000 scholarships each year since its inception in 1997. The Fund was created to fill a void in scholarship programs which are typically awarded to traditional college students. To date, the Fund has awarded one million dollars in college scholarships to over 500 women primarily in their 40's and 50's. Each year, Talbots enlists a panel of accomplished women to help select the five finalists. Its 2008 Board of Judges includes: -- Evelyn Ashford - Renowned American sprinter and five-time Olympic Champion -- Rita Cosby - Emmy Award-winning television host and best-selling author -- Judge Marilyn Milian - Host of television's "The People's Court" -- Peggy Northrop - Editor-in Chief, More Magazine -- Lyn St. James - Former professional Indy 500 race car driver and motivational speaker -- Terrie M. Williams - Founder and President, The Stay Strong Foundation, inspirational author and mental health advocate Past Scholarship Fund Board of Judges have included: Caroline Kennedy, Robin Roberts, Marlee Matlin, Blythe Danner, Naomi Judd, Martina McBride, Alfre Woodard, Dear Abby and Joyce Carol Oates. Tracy Austin, tennis champion and member of the 2007 Women's Scholarship Board of Judges wrote, "After reading this year's scholarship applications, I felt each and every woman was deserving of the scholarship award. Their stories really tugged at me emotionally and others made me stand-up and cheer. I feel, in a small way, responsible in changing their lives and their futures." "Receiving a bachelor's degree would be the achievement of a life-long dream," wrote Dianne Devlin-Gasiewski, a 2007 $10,000 scholarship winner. "It is important to me to complete my degree at this stage in my life because I feel that I have a lot to contribute to society, to my family, and to myself. I want my children to see that anything that they may want to do is possible." Last year, the Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund received the Martiz Research Retailing Leadership Award by Martiz Research for providing women the opportunity to realize their career aspirations through higher education. Applications for the 2008 Talbots Women's Scholarship can be downloaded online at http://www.talbots.com/about/scholar/scholar.asp. Eligible applicants must be women currently residing in the United States who earned a high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago; are currently seeking a degree from an accredited 2- or 4-year college, university or vocational- technical school; and have at least two full-time semesters or 24 credits remaining to complete their undergraduate degree. The postmark deadline for entries is January 2, 2008, or until 1,000 eligible applications have been received, whichever is earlier. Scholarship recipients will be notified by the end of July 2008. The Talbots Charitable Foundation serves the community through its support of the arts, education, health and civic services. Founded in 1947, Talbots is a leading specialty retailer, cataloger and e-tailer. Known for its classic approach to fashion and service, Talbots currently operates over 1,150 stores throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Toll-free catalog shopping is offered at 1 (800) 825-2687, and online shopping is available at http://www.talbots.com/. http://www.thetalbotsinc.com/ corporate/press http://www.talbots.com/ online shopping DATASOURCE: Talbots Web site: http://www.talbots.com/ http://www.thetalbotsinc.com/ http://www.talbots.com/about/scholar/scholar.asp

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