Kathleen Dabrowski
Director of Girl Development, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
B.A. History and Psychology '74
"I made so many great friends at William Woods--many I still see today. The education was solid, and there were many opportunities to do and learn more. It was and still is an affirming community. All in all I had a great experience."
Kathy serves as the director of girl development for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. She lives in St. Louis. Through her position with the Girl Scouts, Kathy has had many professional development opportunities, and she has participated in Leadership St. Louis sponsored by FOCUS St. Louis, Women in Leadership and Greater Missouri.
Since joining the staff in 1976, Kathy has had the opportunity to work at various levels of the organization helping girls grow into women of courage, confidence, and character. She has worked with adults helping them deliver outstanding leadership programs and grow in their community development skills. Her career with the Girl Scouts is a perfect match for her skills and interests especially because she is making an impact in the lives of girls and women while providing quality programs and activities. She leads a high-performing team of more than 27 in providing services and support to girls and adults involved in Girl Scouting. They also build and manage collaborations with corporate and community partners in program areas around financial literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and more. She was on the original team that created the April Showers personal care item drive. Since its inception in 1998, over 14 million personal care items have been collected and distributed to families in need. Kathy says "I like that I get to work with so many different adults ... and that through my work I, too, have grown and developed. It’s been an honor to be part of this council for the past 35+ years and a joy to have found a career (only my second job after graduating from William Woods) that has given and continues to give me opportunities to grow professionally and personally."
Kathy has a daughter, Molly Poe, and a granddaughter, Olivia Poe-Lucky. She enjoys her dog and cat. She is active in her community, including working with FOCUS St. Louis's Youth Leadership Program Advisory Board, FIRST (For Inspiration Robotics Science and Technology) Robotics Organization-Eastern Missouri Region, and the Challenger Learning Center Advisory Board. She is interested in historic neighborhoods, having lived in Soulard and Lafayette Square. She enjoys travel, cooking (ask her for her Mozzarella Tomato and Basic Sandwich recipe) and she works out daily.
On campus, Kathy was involved in her sorority, Alpha Phi. She was a member of the Y Big Sister Program, Student Life Commission, Panhellenic Council, Phi Beta, Janus, and more. Regarding her William Woods experience, Kathy says: "Attending William Woods really took me out of my comfort zone. That was a good thing. I came from a small town in Pennsylvania, and I’ll never forget the bus ride from the airport to Fulton. Wow. I remember being met by a couple of other freshmen from New Jersey who also lived in Smith Hall. I met one of my best friends, Susan Hausman Brunner (who is now deceased) on the bus, and we chatted all the way to Fulton. I lived in Smith Hall and pledged Alpha Phi during rush. I made so many great friends at William Woods--many I still see today. The education was solid, and there were many opportunities to do and learn more. It was and still is an affirming community. All in all I had a great experience."
Kathy says, "When I was in high school and coming of age the women’s movement was part of our culture. I was and still am a big advocate for women and equal rights and opportunities. When I attended William Woods it was still all-female. I liked that. On the other hand, I understand the need for change and I’ve learned throughout my life that being open to change is a really good thing because it opens your mind and soul to new possibilities. Like my decision to attend William Woods 40+ years ago. It gave me opportunities for personal growth, a new place to live and exposure to a wider variety of people."