Bluegrass Central Branch Foundation

Bluegrass Central Branch’s commitment to serving AAUW’s mission to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy is strong. Through the Bluegrass Central Branch Foundation, the club raises and disburses funds for Central Kentucky programs, projects, and partnerships that align with AAUW’s strategic focus areas: education and training, economic security, and leadership. Donation to the foundation supports programs, projects, and activities such as:

    • Grants that support STEM education opportunities for girls
    • Scholarships for girls to participate in mission-related programs and activities
    • College scholarships for girls and women (including nontraditional students)
    • Education and awareness programs about the gender salary gap, Title IX, and salary negotiation
    • Quality-of-life efforts for socially disadvantaged and senior women

See recipients for AAUW-KY Bluegrass Central Branch Scholarships below.

Donate in celebration the American Women Quarters Program:

While any amount donated is appreciated, the Foundation offers a Circle of Giving in celebration of the American Women Quarters Program (see more information on the U.S Mint’s website). Payments may be made monthly, quarterly, or all at once. (If a donor’s circumstances require dropping out of the program, they may do so at any time with no penalty.) Donations can be offered at the following levels:

Name of Giving Level Donation Amount
per Month
Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray $25.00
 Patsy Takemoto Mink $20.00
 Dr. Mary Edwards Walker $15.00
 Celia Cruz $10.00
 Zitkala-Sa $5.00

Download your 2024-2025 donation pledge form (.pdf) here.

No public record of payments will be produced, i.e., donations will not be disclosed and only the Foundation treasurer will know the amount given by the individual donor. A receipt for tax purposes will be furnished to all that donate as the donations are tax deductible.

There are two options for making payments:

  1. Write a check and make payable to AAUW Bluegrass Central Foundation; or
  2. Withdraw electronically from your checking account. The Foundation Treasurer will provide you with the account # if you choose this option and you set up the process with your financial institution.

We are asking donors to pledge by November 15, 2025 for planning purposes. This is the same process we used last year, but please let us know if there are questions.

You also have the opportunity to donate by using Kroger Community Rewards. This is a “painless” way to bring in money. If you have not signed up with Kroger, we encourage you to do so. Our organization name is American Assoc. of Univ. Women Bluegrass Central and our organization number is KR315. If you need assistance signing up, we will be glad to help. Here is a link for your reference.

https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards

We are asking donors to pledge by November 15, 2024.

The Sara Mullikin Porter Memorial Scholarship is for undergraduate women who are continuing their education. Sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Bluegrass Central Branch of Kentucky, this needs-based scholarship provides up to $2,000 to assist a Kentucky woman. A teacher for 29 years, Sara Mullikin Porter was a strong advocate for higher education, and she played a major role in establishing the Bluegrass Central Branch.

Scholarship selection is based on financial need, academic promise, clarity of goals, and future potential. A woman is eligible to apply if she resides in the state of Kentucky, is enrolled in an accredited institution as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student in an associate or baccalaureate degree program, including online programs, has completed at least 12 hours, or equivalent, toward the intended degree, and has been out of school for at least two consecutive years during her adult life.

For more information, please contact Sharon Marcum: marcum3@aol.com

Scholarship Recipients

Portrait of Ashley Howard

Ashley Howard from Shelbyville KY

The recipient of the 2024 Sara Mullikin Porter Memorial Scholarship for Undergraduate Women Continuing Their Education is Ashley Howard from Shelbyville, Kentucky. Ms. Howard is pursuing her degree in chemistry at the University of Louisville. While previously attending Campbellsville University she earned a Dean’s Scholar Certificate. Her long-term goal is to acquire a graduate degree in biochemistry with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of autism. She thanked AAUW for awarding the scholarship and stated [it] “will dramatically increase my ability to reach my graduation goal and thus give me the opportunity to work and manage life.” Sharon Marcum, chair of the scholarship committee, said that Ms. Howard has demonstrated commitment to obtaining her degree while being a single parent to four children, community volunteer, and chemistry tutor.

(l-r) Sandra Turay (AAUW scholarship committee); NaTasha Warfield, Scholarship Winner 2023; Sharon Marcum (AAUW committee chair); Sue Scheff (AAUW committee)

NaTasha Warfield of Paris KY was awarded the Sara Mullikin Porter Memorial Scholarship of $2,000 in August 2023. She is pursuing a nursing degree at Kentucky State University while working part-time in radiology and the University of Kentucky. Scholarship committee chair, Sharon Marcum noted that Ms. Warfield’s application stood out because of her personal story of perseverance and achievement. One reference wrote: “NaTasha is a rare type of student who combines natural ability, with the willingness and eagerness to learn more. She demonstrates the character and qualities that are looked for in a student, employee, co-worker, and friend. She genuinely cares for other people and their well-being and only wants what’s best for us all.”

Portrait of Ashley Mathis

Ashley Mathis, AAUW Scholarship Recipient 2022

In spring 2022 Ashley Mathis, a University of Louisville accounting major, was awarded a $2,000 scholarship by the Bluegrass Central Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Ashley Mathis, 30, a senior, is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and Beta Alpha Psi, a national accounting, finance, and information honor society, among others. Her anticipated graduation date is 2024. “We are delighted to provide this assistance to such a worthy candidate as Ashley,” said Pauline Van Horn, president of the AAUW Bluegrass Central Branch. “Her perseverance and determination to attain self-worth after childhood abandonment by her family is more than admirable. Our mission is to support the education goals of many other women like Ashley.” A single mother, Ashley writes, “I want my child to be able to have a normal childhood and teenage life . . . to live in a stress free and positive home. I want a quality education so I can help him with homework, show him the world, and live a healthy life – mentally and emotionally.” Mathis began her educational journey at Jefferson Community and Technical College as a part-time student with three jobs, earning an associate of arts degree in 2018. In her scholarship application she wrote, “I am maxing out (of options) and need (financial) assistance or I will be forced to give up on my dream.”

In 2019, Bluegrass Central Branch Foundation made donations for scholarships for girls to attend the Go Forward with Science Bowling Green Youth Science Summit, at Ogden College Hall, Western Kentucky University. The Youth Science Summit is an event exclusive to girls in engineering, math, and science (GEMS). This day-long youth conference features engaging, hands-on sessions led by Western Kentucky University on a variety of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) topics. This summit is for a wide range of girls, from elementary to high school, and features tracks specifically for adults. For more information, see KYSci.org/GEMS.