Katherine B. Philips
Jan. 3, 1928-Nov. 25, 2023
Palo Alto, California
Katherine Bulkley Philips (“Kay”), long-time Palo Alto resident and former Executive Director of the Mid-Peninsula YWCA, died on November 25, 2023. She was 95. Kay contributed to the Mid-Peninsula community in remarkable ways over six decades through her commitment to the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
Kay was born January 3, 1928 in Long Beach, CA to Olcott Reeder Bulkley and Isabel Tiffany (Van Deusen) Bulkley. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Pomona College in 1950, and a master’s degree in Teacher Education in 1952 from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, she taught at the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind. There she met Charles Earl Philips. They wed in 1954 and were married for 64 years until his passing in 2018. Kay and Charlie moved to Palo Alto from Berkeley, California, in 1960 when Charlie took a job with The Bechtel Group.
Having volunteered at the YWCA in Berkeley, Kay became involved locally at the Mid-Peninsula YWCA. She assumed greater leadership on YWCA committees, and eventually became Board President while also serving on the National YWCA Board of Directors from 1973 to 1975. In 1974, Kay was hired as the Executive Director of the Mid-Peninsula YWCA and led the organization for 22 years until she retired in 1996. During her tenure, the Mid-Peninsula YWCA played a critical role in establishing cutting-edge programming that met evolving community needs for women and girls. Kay was most passionate about diversity and racial justice, and ensuring that the Mid-Peninsula YWCA was a leader in this field. The Mid-Peninsula YWCA was known for its racial justice work locally and nationwide as a result.
Beyond the YWCA, Kay was one of several community leaders who helped found Youth Community Service (YCS) in 1990; chaired the Multicultural Committee at the Palo Alto Unified School District; and was a member of the task force founding Palo Alto Community Child Care for the City of Palo Alto. She was also the co-founder and co-chair of the Civil Rights Forum which provided quarterly speakers and discussion on racial justice issues.
For leadership in the community, Kay was recognized with a Tall Tree Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Professional from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and the Palo Alto Weekly in 1985 and The Woman of the Year Award from the California State Legislature in 1988, nominated by State Senator, Rebecca Morgan. Kay was admired by so many and will be remembered not only for her leadership and commitment to diversity and racial justice, but also for her quiet strength, infinite kindness, and roles as mentor to women of all ages and model of a life committed to action and advocacy. She was a force of nature, and will be deeply missed, most especially by her family.
Kay is survived by her daughters and their families, Carol Cumming, son-in-law Bruce Cumming, and grandson Sandy Cumming (married to Cindy Steele), and Susie Dorn, son-in-law Chuck Dorn, and grandson Niles Dorn.
A celebration to honor Kay’s life will be held April 6, 2024 at the former Mid-Peninsula YWCA building, now Congregation Etz Chayim who have graciously opened their doors to help us remember Kay in her ‘second’ Palo Alto home. Donations in Kay’s honor can be made to the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula Fund at Philanthropic Ventures Foundation.
Tags: public service
