2023 grant awardees Alanis Castro Pacheco and Madison Stokes at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders.
For Kathy Silks, joining the Harrisburg Branch of the American Association of University Women “changed my life.”
In the 46 years since, Silks gained “experience in speaking to people,” becoming the branch’s board president five years after joining. The overall experience also boosted her confidence, eventually landing her employment as vice president of community relations at WITF.
“Our members are from all different backgrounds,” said Kathy Seidl, who joined in 2019. “I like the connections I’ve made here. I’ve made some wonderful friends and connected with continuing education institutions.”
Seidl serves as the Harrisburg branch’s co-president with MaryAnn Daniels. The branch, funded through dues and donations, currently has 90 members.
“It’s a challenge sometimes to get people to step up to the plate in today’s society,” Seidl said. “But the positive is, we have a very dedicated board.”
So, what is AAUW all about?
Its stated mission involves aiding women’s higher education, economic security, inclusion and empowerment.
“Together, we can defend the rights of all women and ensure that education remains a powerful path to equity and opportunity,” according to the organization’s website.
The Harrisburg Branch was founded in 1921, after which followed a series of notable accomplishments through the 21st century, according to Silks, the local branch’s historian.
- In the 1920s, AAUW Harrisburg co-founded Harrisburg Community Theatre and established a student college loan fund.
- In the 1940s, branch members were active in developing a zoning program for Harrisburg.
- In the 1960s, the branch began sponsoring an annual Harrisburg Allied Arts Festival featuring the Harrisburg Choral Society, the Civic Ballet, Harrisburg Community Theatre and the Harrisburg Symphony.
- In the 1970s, the branch established student loan funds at Messiah College, University Center, and Penn State’s Capital Campus, as well as a full-tuition scholarship at HACC.
In the 1990s, the branch established the Martha M. Dohner Memorial Scholarship and began offering “Gender Equity Model” presentations to school and community organizations.
For the 2000s, the branch began community outreach work with the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg that included creation of the Betty Sullivan Memorial Library. In the 2010s, AAUW Harrisburg began educational workshops on salary levels.
Each year, AAUW Harrisburg awards scholarships to deserving young women in central Pennsylvania pursuing degrees in the upcoming academic year. The branch’s 2025-26 scholarship winners will be announced at this year’s fall membership meeting. The application deadline is July 31.
Scholarships are open to female residents of Cumberland, Dauphin or Perry counties or Northern York School District attending an accredited Pennsylvania college or university and demonstrating financial need.
- The $2,500 Beverly J. Smith Memorial Scholarship is for pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Elizabeth Blymire, a Messiah University biomedical biology major, was the branch’s 2024-25 winner.
- The Member Memorial Scholarship comprises two $1,500 awards for attaining an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. A winner last year was Sherlyn Martinez, a Shippensburg University special education and early childhood education major.
- The $1,500 Ronald D. and Kathleen A. Krausse STEM Scholarship is for attaining a bachelor’s degree in a STEM major. Camren Boyogueno, a Penn State psychology/neuroscience major, was the 2024-25 winner.
- The $1,500 Sally C. Chamberlain Scholarship is for women seeking to resume or renew academic work for credit towards career employment or advancement. The branch’s 2024-25 recipient was Lauren Stroup, a Wilson College nursing major.
AAUW Harrisburg also presents community awards on an annual basis. Bobbi Carmitchell received the branch’s 2025 Gateway to Equity Award for her work educating about women and the women’s movement through music. Jordan Pine received the 2025 Community Woman of the Year Award for her work in combating human trafficking with Greenlight Operation, while branch member Carol Stark was honored as this year’s Outstanding Branch Member.
“It’s a challenge sometimes to get people to step up to the plate in today’s society,” Seidl said. “But the positive is, we have a very dedicated board.”
For information about AAUW Harrisburg Branch and to learn about scholarship opportunities, visit www.harrisburg-pa.aauw.net.
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