Allison Lee Shares Her Story

Allison Lee’s Journey from Bradford to Broadway

On Saturday, February 11, Allison Lee shared the story of her journey from Bradford to Broadway with members and guests of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) – Bradford Branch. According to Lee, her lifelong love of the theatre began in first grade when she appeared in a non-speaking part of a Farmer Gray play. In third grade she participated in a School Poetry Contest where she learned the importance of volume, pace, tone and enunciation in public speaking. Soon after that, Lee was writing and performing plays for her puppet theater with a clothesline, a blanket and decorated socks. She knew she destined for the stage.

Looking back, Lee attributes her interest in the performing arts to her early experiences with the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts (BCPAC) and its dynamic executive director Jim Guelfi. During junior high and high school she was able to perform in three of BCPACS community musicals. Lee and her family spent a lot of time at Chautauqua Institution where she was exposed to plays, lectures and concerts. Little did she know then, that she would later serve as a stage manager with the Chautauqua Theatre Company for 9 seasons.

Lee went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with an emphasis in stage management at Penn State. After graduation she moved to NYC where she worked as a stage manager for a variety of Broadway musicals including “The Addams Family,” “Disney’s Tarzan” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” She also worked with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular touring show.

More recently, Lee returned to Bradford and has moved from theatre stage management to corporate event stage management where she works with top corporations and national organizations throughout the United States. This field has allowed her to live anywhere in the U.S. as long as she is close to an airport. She travels extensively and while the work is demanding, she loves the challenges and freedom that it gives her. Her extensive travel schedule also allows her to run marathons throughout the United States. She currently has completed marathons in 39 states and her goal is to run a marathon in all 50 states. In closing, Lee emphasized that her parents, the Bradford community, BCPAC, mentors, friends, teachers, and local organizations have helped her on her journey from Bradford to Broadway and back to Bradford.



Holly Spittler

Dragonfly Window Creations

Bradford AAUW branch members create dragonfly window decorations.

The Bradford Branch of AAUW created lovely dragonfly window decorations with the direction of Nancy Dryden. Members created two dragonflies in which one was to keep and one was to share.

Dryden explained that dragonflies were the first insect to inhabit the earth 300 million years ago in the Carboniferous Period. This is before the Triassic and Jurassic Periods. At that time the oxygen content of our atmosphere was 25 percent compared to today’s 21 percent. Scientists believe this contributed to it’s giant size with a wing span of up to 2 feet.

Dragonflies are symbolic of trasnformation, adaptablility, wisdom, clarity, lightness of being, self-realization, and living in the moment. The members are excited to share these creations with others.

Lee Ann Doynow is the Recipient of the AAUW Gateway to Equity Award 2020

The American Association of University Women – Bradford Branch is proud to announce Lee Ann Doynow as the recipient of the AAUW Gateway to Equity Award 2020. This award recognizes individuals, groups or organizations that have shown, by action and philosophy, that they advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, or research.  AAUW – Bradford Branch recognizes Doynow for her lifetime commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls through her leadership, advocacy and vision as a working professional and as a volunteer.

Doynow was born and raised in Bradford and received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Bonaventure University. From 1973 to 1987, she served as the Executive Director of YWCAs in Bradford, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Buffalo, NY and the National Capital Area.  In each of her appointments, Doynow utilized her skills and expertise in strategic planning, fundraising, and human resources and fiscal management to reorganize and revitalize the organizations.  During her tenure at the YWCA in Bradford, she was the catalyst in the development of a residential program for transition from Warren State Hospital for women at the Bradford YWCA. Under her leadership, the YWCA developed its first resource center for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and recruited of services for the first family planning clinic from the Family Planning Agency of Pittsburgh.

From 1989 to 2002, Doynow served as the Executive Director of the Allegheny Research and Development Center (ARDC) at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Doynow and her staff worked to advance economic development in the region. After leaving the University, Doynow joined the Bradford Area School District as the human resources administrator until her retirement in 2008. She presently works as a private management consultant for non-profit agencies providing training in the areas of corporate training, executive recruitment, financial management, business development, and strategic management training.

Over the years, Doynow has served on many boards, including Futures, City of Bradford Planning Commission, Bradford Nursing Pavilion, FCI-McKean, Friendship Table, Bradford Sanitary Authority, Bradford Public Library, American Red Cross, YWCA Trustees, Shea’s Buffalo, Bradford City Council, and Western Michigan Public Television and Radio

When Doynow was informed of her award, she responded, “When I think about my past experiences, many amazing women who mentored me come to mind. We truly do stand on the shoulders of the women who come before us.”