This scholarship was established through a generous contribution from Dr. Ted Gold in memory of his wife, Dr. Sydell Gold, a trailblazer for women in math and science. Sydell earned her Ph.D. in Theoretical Mathematics in 1973; her distinguished career included serving on the National Security Council under the Carter and Reagan administrations, being appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Strategic Systems and Arms Control, and founding a Women's Business Forum to support women in technical and management roles. She was often the only woman on various councils and advisory groups, reflecting her pioneering spirit.
To honor her extraordinary legacy and inspire other women to follow in her footsteps, the AFA's Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Scholarship is awarded to daughters of Air Force members pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.