Two Women of Yesterday Molding the Future of St. Louis

Today, two St. Louis women of modest means — who probably never met — are leaving their mark on St. Louis long after they died over 30 years ago.

All because they had three things in common:

An abiding love for St. Louis;
Opened charitable funds at the St. Louis Community Foundation;
And confidence that the Community Foundation would continue to act upon and serve as a steward for their wishes.

Retired Educator Continues to Educate
Today, Bertha Black Rhoda, a retired Vashon educator, helps defray costs for college-bound African-American students, thanks to the scholarship created and named for her at the St. Louis Community Foundation by her husband William. Since 2001 her fund, the William C. and Bertha Black Rhoda Scholarship Fund, has helped dozens of students with college expenses by awarding scholarships totaling more than $130,000.

Funding the Future: Needs Unknown
Lucille Pappendick left her estate to the St. Louis Community Foundation with instructions that some of the funds be used to support the cultural, arts, and education programs she loved during her lifetime. She also directed the remaining portion be used to fund worthwhile projects, organizations, and initiatives of importance to the region.

While Ms. Rhoda’s scholarship fund helps educate the leaders of tomorrow, Ms. Papendick helped send Normandy School District middle schoolers to perform at Carnegie Hall, funded a performance about privilege at the Missouri History Museum, and supported the renovation of a 127-year-old schoolhouse.

Together, in ways that are unique to their wishes, these women continue to touch and change lives in St. Louis. Their generosity is an enduring example of paying it forward.

How will you pay it forward?

Donate to the William C. & Bertha Black Rhoda Scholarship Fund or Krausse – Papendick Fund.

Talk to the St. Louis Community Foundation about how you can help shape the future of our community by opening a fund today.