About Us

Championing women's education in SW Washington

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Woman of Wonder is deeply rooted in the Southwest Washington community. We focus our scholarship awards on women from Clark County, Cowlitz County, and surrounding areas—because we believe local investment creates lasting community impact. While we've awarded over 50 scholarships, we've received applications from 600+ women, reminding us daily of the tremendous need in our region.

Our Vancouver Home: Where Books Become Scholarships

You'll find us at 4300 Main Street, Studio B, Vancouver, WA 98663, nestled in the lower Northwest level of First Presbyterian Church-Vancouver. Our converted conference room office features a wall-to-wall bookcase filled with our founder's personal collection—but these aren't just books gathering dust.

Our founder regularly transports boxes of books to Powell's Books, converting her beloved library into gift cards that become unexpected perks for our scholarship winners. The floor is lined with donated books awaiting the same transformation. Sometimes these Powell's gift cards become thank-you gifts for speakers at our signature event, The White Elephant Book Exchange. It's a perfect metaphor for our mission: taking what we have and transforming it into opportunities for women in Southwest Washington.

our mission

Woman of Wonder, Inc., a 501(c)(3), opens access to higher education through college scholarships. We believe in higher education as a path to stabilize families and improve local economies as we boost women into fulfilling careers.

we value

  • Higher Education

  • Leadership Opportunity

  • Pay Equity

  • Social Justice

our objectives

Woman of Wonder invests in women through scholarships for higher education that bridge the financial gap between the everyday responsibilities of a woman’s life and a chance to study and compete for a rewarding career.

Preference is given to single moms, women raised by a single parent, or women on their own with little or no support.

Woman of Wonder is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to bringing more to women's lives, first through college scholarships, then as a community connection that uplifts, inspires, and empowers women.

Our programs include:

College Scholarships: With a preference for single moms, women raised by a single parent, or women on their own. Scholarships are awarded annually in late spring.

Sisters Fund: College scholarship for a woman who has experienced domestic violence and who is seeking higher education as a means to self-sufficiency.

Kindness Couriers: A volunteer-driven outreach sending encouraging messages to college students, supported by a “Bag of Tools” to track impact and reward engagement.

Community Engagement: Through fun and interactive events, such as the White Elephant Book Exchange, we partner with sponsors to build a sharing community that uplifts, inspires, and collaborates to educate others.

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Support: Weekly blog posts offering guidance for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs, and spotlighting women-owned businesses, or women in business!

Our Board of Directors

  • Carol Doane

    FOUNDER

  • Kylie Burk

    VICE PRESIDENT

  • Kailynn Keirstead

    DIRECTOR

  • Julia Wilson

    DIRECTOR

  • Kristina Wolff-Singh

    DIRECTOR

  • Debbie Dunn

    DIRECTOR

  • Tori

    DIRECTOR

Honor Roll

Pat Stephens, volunteer and board: 2019 - 2025.

Patricia Stephens, Obituary.

Pat Stephens, Secretary / Treasurer

Pat Stephens lived a life full of purpose, creativity, and connection. Born in New York, she grew up in Wenatchee, WA, where summers at Lake Wenatchee sparked her lifelong love of nature. After graduating from Whitworth University, Pat began a 42-year career at The Columbian in the advertising department, where she worked with our founder, Carol Doane.

Pat’s talents extended beyond her profession—she dedicated countless hours to community organizations such as the AAUW, Babies in Need, Adoptee Mentoring Society, and Woman of Wonder, leaving an indelible mark on those she served.

Pat’s family and Woman of Wonder have joined together to create the Pat Stephens Scholarship. 

Honor Roll

Kenneth M. Doane, founding board member.

Kenneth M. Doane, Secretary / Treasurer

Bringing years of expertise in nonprofits at the national level and business management experience at the regional level, Kenneth M. Doane was an invaluable asset. His death March 19, 2020 was a devastating loss.

We have been amazed at the entirety of the work he did for Woman of Wonder.

His kindness, insight, and support helped us launch Woman of Wonder, directed us to best practices, and showed us how to treat everyone with respect.

Kenneth M. Doane, 1923-2020; Obituary.