About Us
Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash
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 the greater Southwest Washington region, with special emphasis on students attending Clark College, WSU Vancouver, and Lower Columbia College in Longview—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 Southwest Washington roots
Woman of Wonder has been a fixture in Southwest Washington's nonprofit community since 2018.
Our board members live and work in Clark County, and our scholarship recipients are your neighbors - women studying at Clark College, WSU Vancouver, and Lower Columbia College who will bring their education back to strengthen our Southwest Washington communities.
Our Vancouver home: Where books become scholarships
We’re located at 4300 Main Street, Studio B, Vancouver, WA 98663, nestled in a space provided by First Presbyterian Church. 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 from attendees to The White Elephant Book Exchange, awaiting the same transformation. Sometimes, these Powell's gift cards become thank-you gifts for speakers at our signature book exchange. It's a perfect metaphor for our mission: taking what we have and transforming it into opportunities for women in Southwest Washington.
Thinking about giving to education? We make it easy.
Whether you're exploring corporate sponsorships, planning a legacy gift, or want to make a one-time donation that makes a real impact, Woman of Wonder is here to guide you through the giving process.
Your gift supports scholarships for women in Washington State and is 100% tax-deductible—because we’re a verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Vancouver, WA. And yes, we’ll send you a tax receipt, pretty darn quick (maybe not instantly—we’re all volunteers with day jobs!).
our mission
Woman of Wonder, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, expands access to higher education by awarding college scholarships to women. We champion education as a catalyst for economic mobility, family stability, and community growth—empowering women to pursue fulfilling careers and contribute meaningfully to their family and the local economy.
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
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Carol Doane
FOUNDER
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Kylie Burk
VICE PRESIDENT
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Kailynn Keirstead
DIRECTOR
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Julia Wilson
DIRECTOR
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Kristina Wolff-Singh
DIRECTOR
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Debbie Dunn
DIRECTOR
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Tori
DIRECTOR
Honor Roll
Pat Stephens, volunteer and board: 2019 - 2025.
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.