The Independent Women's Forum is pleased to announce the winners for our 2008-2009 college essay contest. We asked full-time, female undergraduate students to answer the following question:

While there are differing views among scientists regarding global warming, do you believe the potential costs to the American economy in terms of diminished economic growth, jobs, and higher costs for goods and services are worth the cost of proposed climate policies to address the issue? If so, why? Or, do you believe this money should be spent on other priorities (and if so, where and why)?

After reviewing hundreds of essays from across the country, our prestigious panel of judges selected the following winners. Awards will be handed out at an event in Washington, D.C. in June.

The winning essays are available below:

1st Place: Caroline May
Rice University
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2nd Place: Brianna Byrne
Rochester Institute of Technology
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3rd Place: Courtney Parry
Saint Mary's College
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Honorable mentions:

Olivia Anderson - Seattle Pacific University
Kyli Archibald - Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Marissa Cooney - Texas State University
Maureen Kole - Seattle University
Megan Loftsgaarden - Viterbo University
Jennifer Long - The Ohio State University
Elizabeth Maurer - Millersville University
Anna Parker - University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Casey Turner - University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Renia Turner - Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis

Please join IWF in congratulating these outstanding individuals.