Nicole Murray Ramirez/Mame Dennis Memorial Fund

The Nicole Murray Ramirez / Mame Dennis Memorial Scholarship

Founded in 2012, this scholarship reflects the Imperial Court of Washington, DC's belief that the rights and freedoms the LGBTQ+ community has fought for must be carried forward to future generations. Sharing history through education and knowledge felt like the most meaningful way to do that, so the Court gathered its resources and, through charitable works and generous deeds, built a modest fund that has awarded scholarships to deserving applicants.

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Honoring Carl Rizzi — Mame Dennis

Carl Rizzi (1940–2015), known throughout Washington, DC's LGBTQ+ community as Mame Dennis, was raised in New Hampshire and, after serving in the Navy, brought a passion for High Drag to the nation's capital in the late 1960s. Back then, The Academy was the sole route into DC's drag scene, and she joined in 1966, taking the name Mame Dennis. In 1973 she became President of The Academy and worked to transform it from a scene of alcohol-fueled quarrels and wig-snatching into a respected organization the community and the city could take pride in. Under her guidance, The Academy established The HOOP (Helping Our Own People) Fund to give members affected by HIV/AIDS financial support. Her steadfast leadership brought The Academy considerable success and raised both awareness and funds for the LGBTQ+ community until it closed in the early 2010s.

Further details about Mame are available at MetroWeekly.

Honoring Nicole Murray Ramirez

Nicole Murray Ramirez (born 1935), known within the Imperial Court System as Empress Nicole the Great, The Queen Mother of the Americas, has spent 45 years as an LGBT activist and currently serves as Human Rights Commissioner of San Diego.

More about Nicole can be found here.

Past Recipients

  • Malik Ivey — Reign IV — $500
  • Ethan Combs — Reign VI — $1000 (matched award)
  • Kellen “Bama Repartree Bottoms” Byers — Reign IX — $1000 (matched award)

Currently Accepting Applications

The Imperial Court of Washington, DC's Nicole Murray Ramirez/Mame Dennis Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for the Fall 2022 Scholarship Award, which will be presented in September 2022. If you would like to apply, please download and complete the Scholarship Application and Acknowledgement.

Download Application

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nicole Murray Ramirez/Mame Dennis Memorial Scholarship?
It is a scholarship fund created in 2012 by the Imperial Court of Washington, DC to pass on the history and hard-won rights of LGBTQ+ persons to the next generation through knowledge and education. The fund is named for Carl Rizzi (Mame Dennis) and Nicole Murray Ramirez (Empress Nicole the Great).
Who can apply for the scholarship?
The page describes the fund as supporting a worthy applicant and currently accepting applications for the Fall 2022 Scholarship Award. For eligibility details, download the Scholarship Application and Acknowledgement linked on this page.
How do I apply?
Download and complete the Scholarship Application and Acknowledgement (PDF) linked in the Currently Accepting Applications section.
When is the award given?
According to the page, the Fall 2022 Scholarship Award is to be awarded in September of 2022.
Who were the past recipients?
Past recipients listed on this page are Malik Ivey (Reign IV, $500), Ethan Combs (Reign VI, $1000 matched award), and Kellen “Bama Repartree Bottoms” Byers (Reign IX, $1000 matched award).
Who were Nicole Murray Ramirez and Mame Dennis?
Carl Rizzi (1940–2015), known as Mame Dennis, was a leader of Washington, DC's drag community and president of The Academy, which created The HOOP Fund for persons affected by HIV/AIDS. Nicole Murray Ramirez (born 1935), known as Empress Nicole the Great, The Queen Mother of the Americas, has been an LGBT activist for 45 years and is appointed Human Rights Commissioner of San Diego.

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