VCCF Scholarship Funds
Ventura County Bar Association is working for you….J. Roger Myers Scholarship Fund
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Fund ID: MYERJR
In Memoriam – March 25, 1941 – January 18, 2022
A new scholarship has been created in honor of local attorney J. Roger Myers. Roger grew up in Nebraska, where he was an honor student and won the high school state championship in the 100 yard dash. He then attended the University of Nebraska, where he played both offense and defense on the Cornhuskers’ football team. Upon graduation, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam, rising to the rank of Captain. After his military service, Roger attended Hastings College of Law. After passing the bar, he served as a Deputy District Attorney in Ventura. In 1971, he co-founded the law firm that still bears his name.
Roger was dedicated to community service. He was a founding member of Ventura County Stand Down, which provides homeless veterans and their families with needed services. He was also a member and president of two Rotary Clubs, elected member of the Ojai Unified School Board, and president of the Ventura County Bar Association. In 2007, Roger received the Ben Nordman award for community service – the Ventura County Bar Association’s highest award. When presenting the award, past recipient Ron Harrington described Roger as “a lawyer’s lawyer, a loyal friend, a superior intellect, a man of impeccable integrity and good humor, and a perfect gentleman.”
Roger Myers will be sorely missed by his friends, colleagues, clients, children, grandchildren and the community at large.
Monte Widders, who is Myers’ longtime friend and business partner, donated the initial contribution for the scholarship fund. Widders generously made an initial contribution that covered the next two years of scholarship funding.
Applicants must be residents of Ventura County and currently enrolled in any law school within the United States. Applicants must also demonstrate the use of their law degree to benefit the local legal community in Ventura County after graduation. Preference will be given to applicants who are veterans and those who are current military personnel. These requirements were a crucial component to honoring Myers military and community service.
Applications for the scholarship open on October 21, 2022 and close on January 20, 2023. Applications for the scholarship can be found at vccf.org. The $5,000 scholarship will be officially awarded on an ongoing, yearly basis at the VCBA Installation and Awards Dinner that occurs every November. The first J. Roger Myers Scholarship will be officially awarded in November 2023. Funding for the scholarship for the proceeding year must be received by VCCF before October 1st for the scholarship to be available the following year.
M. Carmen Ramirez Legacy Scholarship Fund
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Fund ID: Carmen Ramirez
In Memoriam – August 14, 1948 – August 12, 2022
Supervisor Carmen Ramirez’s family and staff have established a Legacy Scholarship Fund in collaboration with the Ventura County Community Foundation to honor her lifelong work and support the next generation of public service leaders. Inquiries about the Scholarship Fund may be directed to the District 5 Office at 805-654-2613 or District5@ventura.org.
Chair Carmen Ramirez’s life and legacy
Supervisor Carmen Ramirez dedicated her service to improving Oxnard, Ventura County, and the greater Southern California region for future generations. Throughout her public service, she was an advocate for Oxnard and worked unwaveringly to protect the environment, uplift underserved communities, and advance women’s rights in Ventura County.
In 2020, Supervisor Ramirez made history as the first Latina elected to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors representing District 5. In 2022, Supervisor Ramirez became the first Latina to serve as Chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. During her tenure, Supervisor Ramirez championed COVID-19 response and economic recovery, and improved government services in Greater Oxnard, particularly advancing areas of environmental and social justice, youth engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the County government. Notably, she served on many regional organizations including the Southern California Association of Governments where she was currently serving as the First Vice President. In 2012, Governor Brown appointed Chair Ramirez to serve on the Commission on State Mandates.
Before being elected County Supervisor, Supervisor Ramirez proudly served on the Oxnard City Council between 2010 and 2020, including eight years as Mayor Pro Tem. During her tenure on the Council, Supervisor Ramirez championed social and environmental justice, government accountability, and economic vitality.
In 1978, Supervisor Ramirez began her career as a legal aid attorney in Ventura County. She represented low-income individuals and families before the government and the courts through the legal aid program. The program later became Channel Counties Legal Services where Ramirez served as Director until joining the Superior Court to run the Self-Help Legal Center in La Colonia.
Throughout her legal career, she mentored youth, law students, and lawyers interested in advancing social and environmental justice issues. Many of these individuals now have successful careers across the country.
Raised in Pico Rivera, one of seven siblings, Supervisor Ramirez is survived by her husband Roy Prince, five siblings, and her two stepsons.
Supervisor Ramirez felt deep pride for the Oxnard and District 5 community. Her legacy lives on through the lives and work of the many whom she inspired.
Two ways to donate:
- Donate Online
- By Check: Payable to VCCF
Memo line should read:
Fund ID: MYERJR or
Fund ID: Carmen Ramirez
Mail to: VCCF C/O Finance Department 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA 93012 NOTE: Naming the Fund Identification is very important for VCCF to know what to do with the funds.
VCCF is a 501(c)3
public charity, Federal Tax ID:
77-0165029.
A portion or more of your gift may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution through the VCCF and will be used in compliance with our 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. Per IRS regulations, we confirm that no goods or services have been provided in return for this contribution All charitable contributions to the VCCF are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
