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
 Bessie Coleman (licensed pilot) $25.00
 Edith Kanaka’ole (composer) $20.00
 Eleanor Roosevelt (reformer, U.S. First Lady) $15.00
 Jovita Idar (suffragist, journalist) $10.00
 Maria Tallchief (prima ballerina) $5.00

Download your 2023-2024 donation pledge form (.pdf) here.

There are two options for making payments:

  1. Write a check and make payable to AAUW Bluegrass Central Foundation; and
  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, 2024.

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.


Scholarship Recipients

(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.