Meet Kathy Williams

This post is part of a series highlighting women who are doing great work in our local Jewish community. We recently interviewed a leader, mother, grandmother, and overall extraordinary woman who has set a high standard of philanthropy and volunteerism in our community. Kathy Williams talks about her devotion to building a strong Jewish community and the numerous benefits of giving.

“People who are role models motivate me. The seed was planted by my mother and father who were always helping people in need and they taught me to do the same. I want to honor our L'Dor v'Dor (generation to generation) tradition and in doing so I am able to pass the torch to my children and grandchildren. Having been involved since 1969, there are days I think it is time to step down and then I see leaders like Cissie Swig or Adele Corvin still working countless hours for our Jewish community and my fire is again ignited to continue the important work of building and safeguarding our Jewish community. My mentors have always said don't just talk about what needs to be done, do it! So I do.   

There is a calming emotional satisfaction I experience when I hear the successful outcome of projects I have worked on: PJ Library, which reaches out to our young families; stories from kids who received Federation grants to go to Jewish summer camp; reports from a friend I connected with Jewish Family and Children’s Services looking for assistance with a frail parent. Also, serving on committees or working with volunteers allows me to share critical, challenging, and unique ideas, and stimulates my intellectual and emotional growth. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that giving back allows you to meet the most wonderful people, many who have become personal friends.

Seventeen years ago, our family faced the unthinkable: my mom died in a car crash and my 50 year old brother died unexpectedly within the same time. The love and support from my community was amazing. People brought food, visited, called to check in, and it continued for much longer than just a week. Our family was watched over for several months. During tough times like these, you know how wonderful your family is and how big it is because it extends out to the entire Jewish community.“

BACKGROUND

For more than four decades, Kathy Williams has displayed a passionate commitment to the Bay Area Jewish community through her work as a volunteer leader and philanthropist. Known for her warmth, elegance, modesty, and wit, she has been active on the boards of the Bureau of Jewish Education, Peninsula Temple Sholom, the Wornick Jewish Day School, and Pacific Northwest regional AIPAC, among others. Williams first joined the Federation Board in 1993, and among her many contributions, she co-founded the Women in Leadership program in 1999. A former volunteer and professional counselor who has worked with abused children, Williams is passionate about abuse prevention, education, health issues, and overseas needs. She has been the recipient of the Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award, Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, Wornick Day School Ner Tamid, and BJE Campaign Award.