Dorothy Wirth Holden Scholarship

The Dorothy Wirth Holden Scholarship honors Dorothy Wirth Holden, a graduate of the University of Montana and member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She was a social activist, strong proponent of women obtaining a college degree, and mother of seven. Her achievements included roles as chairperson of the Social Action Committee of the National Council of Catholic Women and State Democratic Committee Representative from Franklin County. She was the first woman from Franklin County to be a member of the electoral college and worked to promote racial equality before it became the law. With her husband John, she founded the Bexley Democratic Club in 1961. Dorothy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1967 and passed away. This scholarship is awarded to female students who are residents of central Ohio (Franklin and contiguous counties) and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship rotates annually among eligible colleges, with The Ohio State University being the eligible institution for 2026. Award amounts begin at a minimum of $500.