Note 1: This text is reproduced from the Young Ladies Radio League website (with some edits), with thanks.
Note 2: Some members of our Amateur Radio community may find the term “young ladies” outdated. Click here for some additional thoughts:
The Young Ladies’ Radio League (YLRL) provides two $2500 scholarships and one $1500 scholarship each year. Deadline for application: April 30, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Being in Canada is not a barrier. There are no residency restrictions. Non-US amateurs are eligible.
- Applicant must be female.
- Applicant must have an Amateur Radio license.
- Preference will be given to students studying communications, radio, electronics, or Amateur Radio related arts and sciences.
- Preference will be given to members of the YLRL. (a Canadian membership is $15 USD/year. Click here to join: https://ylrl.net/membership-application/)
Specific requirements of each of the scholarships:
- The Ethel Smith, K4LMB ($2500) and Mary Lou Brown, NM7N ($2500) scholarships are intended for full-time students. For these scholarships, applicants must intend to seek a Bachelor’s or Graduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- The Martha “Marte” Wessel, K0EPE ($1500) scholarship is intended for a part-time student of an accredited educational institution* who is working full-time. Full-time work includes a stay-at-home parent or caregiver. High-school students are exempt from the full-time work requirement.
* Qualifying educational institutions include: Any accredited technical or vocational school. A two- or four-year college or university.
Click here for more information and the application form: https://ylrl.net/apply/
Background
The Young Ladies’ Radio League, Inc., K4LMB originated in 1939, when 12 women banded together to form their own league in an otherwise male-dominated community. Today, members are from all walks of life, all ages and all levels of ham radio interest.
These scholarships are offered in memory of two of the founding mothers – Ethel Smith, K4LMB, and Mary Lou Brown, NM7M. The Mary Lou Brown scholarship was created posthumously to honor her immense contribution to the organization. She was not only a past President but was extremely active with the scholarship fund. After her death it seemed fitting to honor her with a scholarship in her name. The third scholarship is in memory of Martha Wessel.
The scholarships are granted to “worthy Young Ladies for continuing their education, with preference given to those in academic study of communications and electronics or related arts and sciences” as according to the YLRL by-laws. A ham license is currently mandatory for all scholarships.
See below for some thoughts on the use of traditional, gender-specific terminology in ham radio.
Use of traditional, gender-specific terms “Young Ladies” (YL) and “Ex-Young Ladies” (XYL) in Amateur Radio
Amateur Radio still uses the traditional, gender-specific terms “Young Ladies” (YL) for female Amateur Radio operators and “Ex-Young Ladies” (XYL) for married women, and these may be viewed by newer or younger operators as patronizing, outdated, or sexist.
Many women in the hobby may find being called “young” regardless of their actual age to be patronizing. The term XYL (Ex-Young Lady), used to describe a married woman (or the wife of a ham), may be seen as particularly outdated, implying a woman is no longer a “young lady” after marriage, or reducing her to merely the spouse of a male operator. Terminology that focuses on gender or marital status also does not align with the diversity of modern Canadian society, which includes a plurality of different relationships, cultures, identities, and realities.
There is an ongoing, albeit debated, effort within parts of the Amateur Radio community to modernize terminology, but these terms remain deeply embedded in historical ham lingo. Discussions about replacing them have increased as the community seeks to foster a more inclusive environment. In many circles, conversations about gender-specific terms also include the concept that the terms YL and YXL are not inclusive of all persons who identify as female (similarly, OM for Old Man) and that these terms may make newcomers to the hobby feel unwelcome or out of place.
That said, many Amateur Radio operators today, including some female operators, argue that “YL” is simply traditional CW (Morse code) jargon. Organizations like the Young Ladies’ Radio League (YLRL), founded in 1939, continue to use “YL” to foster community, support women in the hobby, and promote specialized operating events, suggesting that many women still identify with the term.
Some clubs and operators are deliberately moving toward gender-neutral language, such as simply “operator,” “ham,” or “radio operator,” particularly in clubs seeking to attract a younger, more diverse demographic. There are recommendations to avoid specialized, gendered jargon in favor of clear communication, especially when mentoring new operators. Here is one example: Engaging Women in Amateur Radio. Also, instead of using “YL nets,” some are advocating for nets based on technical interests rather than gender, which you can already see in places like the Ottawa Amateur Radio Shack Discord server.
Despite these efforts, the terminology is “entrenched” and likely to persist in certain operating modes (like CW) and among older, traditional operators for some time.
The OARC could start a working group to explore ways to help make the Club a more welcoming environment for all. If you would like to participate in a working group like this, or would like to share your thoughts with the Board about how to make the Club more welcoming, please click here to Contact Us.
Last Updated on 2026-02-07 by Joannadanna