Did you know that Sony Online Entertainment has for the past two years awarded a special scholarship specifically aimed at developing games to cater to women? I didn’t either until this morning.  Here at Girls Entertainment Network, where we are a site dedicated and devoted to females and gaming I thought this was something that everyone should be aware of.

Rebecca Gleason- winner of the 2009 G.I.R.L. Scholarship award courtesy of SOE

The scholarship program is called G.I.R.L. or Gamers in Real Life.  It is SOE’s way of dedication to positively “impact the way that females are depicted in video games and create and influence content to be appealing to women.”  It is about empowering and encouraging women within all aspects of the games from a wide spectrum of roles from the “serious female gaming audience” to the casual to “game production and game management.”

This is the second year that the scholarship was awarded. The first scholarship was awarded last year to Jule Brasil, a student due to graduate from The Art Institute located in San Francisco in 2010.

This year’s winner was Rebecca Gleason, a Game and Art Student from Indianapolis, Indiana attending the University of Purdue in Indianapolis.  She was granated a $10,000 scholarship and an optional paid internship of up to 10 weeks at SOE’s headquarters in San Diego to work on their newly released game Free Realms.

But despite it’s name, this is not just a scholarship for women.  It’s more than that.  You can apply for it regardless of your sex. It really is about focusing on games for women, not just by women.

” I feel so honored to be given this opportunity,” said Gleason. “I can’t wait to make the most of it by really diving in, absorbing what I learn and working to promote the mission of the G.I.R.L. program.”

Gleason was one of more than 160 applicants vying for the scholarship. Finalists were asked to submit original concept art depicting a new game environment and new characters for Free Realms, and compose two essays discussing their art and views on women in the video game industry.

“The invaluable combination of education and experience is the exact formula Rebecca needs to become successful in this competitive video games industry,” said Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, SOE. “We are thrilled to open yet another door for a female gamer and we plan to continue to expand the presence of women in gaming by carrying on the tradition of the G.I.R.L program for years to come.”

From all the girls here at Girls Entertainment Network, grats to Rebecca!  We are excited to see the amazing things you help to create.  Best of luck in your endeavor and thank you to SOE for offering this wonderful opportunity for others like her to shine and make a difference in an otherwise male dominated industry.

To read more about their G.I.R.L scholarship program, please check out their full write up over at girl.soe.com or follow their twitter at twitter.com/SOE_GIRL.