They say that behind every successful man is a good woman. So who's behind a successful woman? If you're Procter & Gamble executive Kay Napier, you have two good women behind you. Now she wants to pay them back.

        The Hyde Park resident recently announced the establishment of the Ruth Bernert Stagaman and Wilma Lee Rutland PAL Scholarship at Ursuline Academy in Blue Ash.

        Created to increase minority enrollment at the school, “PAL” stands for “Persistence (through) Adversity equals Leadership.” These three words, Ms. Napier says, best describe her mother (Ms. Stagaman) and Ms. Rutland, “a loyal babysitter and family member for the past 16 years.”

        Ms. Napier says, “. . . these two women have had the greatest impact in allowing me to be successful. I don't know what I'd be without them.”

        She says the scholarship will be presented “to a girl who has financial need and has shown the ability to overcome adversity through her own persistence, thereby preparing her to be a leader in whatever she chooses to do.”

        Ms. Napier is excited by the opportunity to honor the school which gave her the “PAL” tools to become a positive role model to girls and women in the Tristate. She also credits the two women with guiding and encouraging her in her successful life.

        “I've been very fortunate,” says P&G's vice president for North America Pharmaceuticals and Corporate Women's Health and Vitality. “I've been given a lot and it's time to start giving back.”

        The Second Century Campaign was the best place for the Ursuline graduate to start. She and her husband, Guy, pledged $25,000 seed money to begin the endowment of the PAL scholarship. Procter & Gamble, the Schmidlapp Foundation and Knowledgeworks also will contribute and participate in the scholarship/mentorship program.

        “I wanted to do something for the school and for my mother and Ms. Rutland because they're such special people. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”
       

        Donations to the Ruth Bernert Stagaman and Wilma Lee Rutland PAL Scholarship may be sent to The Ursuline Foundation, 5535 Pfeiffer Road, Cincinnati 45242.

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