(MOBILE, AL)-- A weekend competition will determine who are the most distinguished young women in America. Distinguished Young Women is a non-profit group holding its 62nd consecutive national finals Friday in Mobile.
One contestant from the 50 finalists will be selected to receive $30,000 toward higher education. The young women are spending two weeks in Mobile, where they will participate in community service and leadership workshops.
Kendra Haskins is the executive director of Distinguished Young Women and said the organization was a new idea when it began in 1958.
"This is a pretty revolutionary concept for a city, and not just a city," she said, "but for an organization to have had in 1958 that we want to create a free program to help young women to attend college and help them pay for it. That's a pretty radical thing, and Mobile has a lot to be proud of."
The finals for the event will be held on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Mobile Civic Center Theater.