A Pikesville native and long-time volunteer, Katie Applefeld has a lot to share. From her love of Israel to a famous relative, and even a surprising athletic achievement, here are 10 things to know about Katie Applefeld.
Her Grandmother … Her Role Model … Was a Trailblazer
A strong, smart woman, Paula Unger Hamburger, attended Cornell University and the University of Michigan where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1930 and a graduate degree from Columbia University in 1966 – a time when less than 10% of women received college degrees. During the Depression, she was a social worker in New York City, later moving to Baltimore where she helped found the Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Community Psychiatry Mental Health Program in East Baltimore.
“My grandmother, who was way ahead of her time, showed me what women could do,” says Katie. “Not only that, she also was very proud of her Jewish identity and believed that giving back was a priority. Even when she was working during the Depression, when salaries were tight, she made sure to make charitable contributions.”
Katie’s Associated involvement began as a young adult.
She actively became involved in The Associated when asked to participate in the Tzedakah Project. The project, a joint program of the planning and development departments, brought together a group of young adults who learned about The Associated network and the allocation process. They were given funds and asked to make allocation recommendations – both locally and through The Associated’s overseas partners – based on the community’s priorities.
Shortly afterwards, Katie became first Vice Chair of IMPACT (now the Young Adult Division) and participated in Dor Tikvah, a two-year leadership development program for women, ages 30 and 45. As part of that program, she had the opportunity to observe a board.
“I had never been to Israel, yet all I wanted to do was sit on the Israel and Overseas board,” she recalls. Making it her first and second choices, she prevailed – and since then has never looked back.
