West Bend, WI – To honor the memory of pioneering female firearms instructor Linda Harris, the USCCA is proud to announce the Linda Harris Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, which will officially launch in 2019, was established to encourage, recognize, and assist female instructors who wish to expand their education in the field of firearms training and who show the knowledge, skills, determination, and devotion to firearms education and training that was exemplified by Linda during her lifetime.
“Through the Linda Harris Memorial Scholarship, the USCCA will be able to encourage many new generations of female instructors inspired by Linda’s work,” said Destry Jeter, USCCA’s director of training. “We are truly looking forward to seeing the efforts and determination of these women recognized and rewarded.”
Linda Harris, who passed away at age 68 on September 1, 2018, was well known in the firearms community as an outstanding instructor who dedicated herself and her career to training people to defend themselves and to encouraging women to get involved in the shooting sports. Linda’s husband George Harris co-founded the SIG Sauer Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1990. And Linda later joined him at SIG, becoming the first female firearms instructor in the history of the company, teaching a variety of firearms-related subjects to men and women alike.
After retiring in 2011, Linda continued with her passion of mentoring and teaching women in the proper use and safe handling of firearms, the sporting uses of firearms, and the use of firearms for personal defense. Her gift of teaching and unique communication skills allowed her to reach and empower countless women throughout the world.
“Linda had the ability to connect with personalities of all types—young, old, and in between… both in the classroom and on the range,” George Harris commented. “She was a person emulated by many in teaching and in living everyday life. Her passion was to share her knowledge and experience with other women, inspiring them to embrace the safe and competent use of firearms in a variety of uses.”
Linda was truly a woman of uncompromising class, integrity, kindness, knowledge and understanding. She was also a valued supporter of the USCCA and the organization’s mission to train, educate, and protect the responsibly armed.
“Linda Harris’ legacy is as far-reaching as the many friends and colleagues she influenced during her career,” stated Beth Alcazar, USCCA associate editor and senior training counselor. “And this scholarship program was established to honor her life and to help other motivated women carry on her legacy of excellence and service.”
The Linda Harris Memorial Scholarship is an annual, merit-based award in which the winning applicant will be presented an all-expense-paid USCCA training program. If the winner is not a USCCA-certified instructor at the time of the award, the prize will be a USCCA instructor certification class. If the winner is a USCCA-certified instructor, she may choose from among any of the training currently offered by the USCCA. Any currently active female firearms instructor wishing to expand and improve her teaching abilities is eligible for the award. Applications will be accepted from April 1 through December 1 of each calendar year, with an official announcement and the presentation of the scholarship made at the USCCA Concealed Carry Expo the following Spring. The winner will also receive an all-expense paid trip to the site of the Expo to receive the award.
The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) provides education, training and self-defense protection to responsible American gun owners. Headquartered in West Bend, WI, the USCCA is the largest and fastest-growing association whose sole focus is the responsibly armed American.
For more information or to schedule an interview with USCCA President Tim Schmidt please contactbwalsh@fp1strategies.com.