The Hill School -> Kay Dougherty honored by Tri-County Area YWCA

Kay Dougherty honored by Tri-County Area YWCA

Ellen Nelson, Polly Sharp, Kay and David Dougherty, Karen and Ryck Walbridge, Cathy Skitko

Kay Dougherty, wife of David R. Dougherty and a member of Hill’s faculty serving in the Office of the Headmaster, was honored Thursday, Nov. 3 with the Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the YWCA for the tri-county area. The presentation was made at a dinner honoring Kay as well as other women who have contributed to our region in a variety of ways.

As noted in the event’s printed program, “It is difficult to list all of Kay’s activities, partly because she is a master at working through others to achieve a common goal…and her volunteer activities have been so numerous…. Kay is the epitome of an empowered woman who uses her empowerment for the common good."

Cathy Skitko and Kay Dougherty

A compilation and description of her achievements and values was submitted as part of the nomination process. Kay has assisted not-for-profit organizations including, in part: the YWCA; the Health and Wellness Foundation; the Pottstown School District; the Pottstown Library; the Pottstown Symphony; and the United Way, as well as, of course, The Hill School, where she has been integrally involved with service endeavors including the Student Philanthropy Council.

She was joined at the dinner by David as well as Hill colleagues Ryck Walbridge, assistant headmaster for academics, and his wife, Karen, a college adviser; Kathy Malone, Ph.D., dean of academics; Polly Sharp, assistant to the headmaster; Ellen Nelson, chairman of the arts department; and Cathy Skitko, director of communications. Also attending the dinner was Courtney Neese ’00, a Hill English teacher, and her husband, Geoffrey Neese ’00, assistant director of capital giving at Hill. Courtney was a recipient of the YWCA’s “Rising Star” award in 2005.

Cathy introduced Kay to the audience. “When it comes to helping others and inspiring other people to do good and useful things, Kay is ‘all in,’” Cathy said. “Kay has served as a mentor to hundreds and hundreds of girls who have attended The Hill School, girls from across the country and around the world.” Read Cathy's full introduction.

In graciously accepting the award, Kay was quick to note that one of her and David’s great pleasures has been to work at a place where the students are so down-to-earth, genuinely friendly, and concerned for others, as well as quick to participate in community endeavors.

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