Jenner Law renames its annual scholarship to honor the beloved educator and survivor advocate whose decades of dedication helped advance justice and support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Maryland.
Baltimore, MD — Jenner Law, P.C., is renaming its annual scholarship the Gemma Hoskins “Make a Difference” Scholarship in honor of Gemma Hoskins, the beloved educator and
advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse whose determination helped change the landscape of survivor justice in Maryland. Gemma died on September 21, 2026, at age 73.
The scholarship honors a woman whose life was defined by a commitment to helping others. Through decades as a teacher and later as an advocate for survivors, Gemma demonstrated the power of education, compassion, and persistence to create meaningful change.
“Gemma believed in helping people find their voices and giving them the support they needed to move forward,” said Robert K. Jenner, founder of Jenner Law. “Her legacy reaches far beyond the classroom. We are honored to carry that legacy forward through a scholarship that supports students who want to use their education to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Honoring a Life Dedicated to Helping Others
Gemma taught elementary school for 26 years, including fifth grade at Jarrettsville Elementary School, and earned recognition as Harford County Teacher of the Year in 1991 and Maryland Teacher of the Year in 1992. She earned a master’s degree in instructional technology from Towson University, spent 15 years mentoring teachers in Harford and Baltimore counties, and even traveled to Russia to help educators there develop classroom curriculum.
“Gemma believed you learn so you can give,” said Maria Goebel, Gemma’s sister. “She had a way of noticing the kid at the edge of the room and pulling them toward the center without making a show of it. Years later, she did the same for survivors who thought no one would ever listen. That was Gemma: notice, understand, act.”
Her life took a different direction when she began investigating the 1969 disappearance and murder of Sister Catherine “Cathy” Cesnik, her former teacher at Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore, and allegations that students there had been sexually abused by the school’s chaplain. In 2013, Gemma and fellow Keough alumna Abbie Schaub launched their own investigation, bringing former students together to share their experiences and pursue answers, work that eventually reached a worldwide audience through the 2017 Netflix documentary series The Keepers. She later carried that investigation forward as co-host, with Shane Waters, of the true-crime podcast Foul Play.
But Gemma’s commitment did not end with raising awareness. She became a tireless advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, helping connect survivors with resources and supporting efforts to change Maryland law. She testified as lawmakers considered reforms that ultimately led to the Child Victims Act of 2023, which eliminated the statute of limitations for civil claims of childhood sexual abuse in Maryland.
For survivors who had spent years feeling unheard, Gemma offered something essential: someone willing to listen, believe them, and help them find a path forward. For many, she was the first person with whom they had ever shared their story.
Gemma and Mary Beth
Continuing Gemma’s Legacy Through Education
The Gemma Hoskins “Make a Difference” Scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic achievement, a commitment to social justice, and a vision for using their education to improve the world around them. Jenner Law awards two scholarships annually, each valued at $2,500.
Renaming the scholarship in Gemma’s honor connects its mission to the values she embodied throughout her life: a belief in education, a commitment to helping others, and the determination to make a difference even when the work is hard.
“Gemma never stopped teaching us,” said Gemma’s friend, Mary Beth Diaz, who is a paralegal at Jenner Law. “She showed us that making a difference often begins with listening, standing beside someone who needs support, and refusing to give up when change seems difficult.”
Through the Gemma Hoskins “Make a Difference” Scholarship, Jenner Law hopes to honor Gemma not only for what she accomplished, but also for the example she set for everyone who knew her and the countless people whose lives she touched.
About Jenner Law
Jenner Law, P.C., is a law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse and individuals harmed by negligence and misconduct. The firm is committed to advocating for those who have been harmed, helping survivors pursue accountability, and supporting efforts to protect others from abuse.
To learn more about the scholarship program, visit https://www.jennerlawfirm.com/scholarships/scholarships-make-a-difference/.
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