Leadership Spotlight

I was born and raised in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, in a family that loves the outdoors. As one of four daughters, I was fortunate to have a dad who made sure we were included in outdoor activities every chance he got. Whether it was shooting, fishing, or hunting, he encouraged us to learn, participate, and develop a love for the outdoors from an early age. 

It wasn’t until I became an adult and began volunteering with organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Becoming an Outdoors Woman that I truly realized how lucky I was to have experienced the support and encouragement of an outdoor-minded father. Those experiences shaped who I am today and inspired my continued passion for conservation, outdoor recreation and teaching Hunter’s Education classes.  

Of all the outdoor activities I enjoy, turkey hunting is my favorite. In fact, I will gladly drive several hours just to spend a few hours turkey hunting with my dad before heading to work. I also love exploring waterfalls, state parks and spending time kayaking, all of which allow me to connect with nature in meaningful ways.  I also have two beautiful pups, a Scottish Terrier (Finley) that can’t swim but loves to kayak with me and a Chocolate Lab (Charlie) who loves to explore the mountains and is ready for any type of adventure. 

My outdoor journey has not been without challenges. I was born with a neurological disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Because of this condition, I wear foot, ankle, and knee braces and use hiking poles to safely participate in hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. As a younger woman, I often avoided trying new things because I was afraid of appearing clumsy or worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with a group, especially among people who didn’t know me well.   

I first learned about American Daughters of Conservation (ADC) when a member shared a post encouraging Pennsylvania memberships in the PA Wild Women chat group. Curious, I looked into the organization, read testimonials, followed social media posts, and ultimately decided to join. Shortly afterward, I became a leader within ADC because I strongly believed the organization was needed in Pennsylvania and could make a positive impact on women interested in the outdoors. The PA leadership team is really committed to establishing a community that supports, teaches one another and encourages all to give it your best and get out of your comfort zone, it’s a great place to be! 

My favorite part of ADC is meeting women of all ages and watching them discover new experiences. It is incredibly rewarding to see someone try a new outdoor activity, become passionate about it, and develop a desire to continue learning, exploring and sharing. The enthusiasm and growth I witness within this community is truly inspiring. 

On a personal level, ADC is helping me overcome my fear of attempting activities that I am not sure I can physically accomplish. Being surrounded by supportive women who encourage one another and refuse to let anyone fail has given me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone. The sense of community within ADC is unlike anything I have experienced elsewhere. 

For anyone considering joining American Daughters of Conservation, I would say that regardless of your experience level or interests, there is something for everyone. Whether you are an experienced outdoorswoman or someone looking to try something new, the opportunities, friendships, and personal growth that come from being part of this organization are truly endless. 

Member Mentions

Chapter Highlights

Northeast Chapter

June was quite the jam packed month in the Northeast! On June 6th some of our NE sisters headed onto the ocean with sponsor MA Charter Fishing and Capitan Kyle gave them, per usual, an awesome experience! After catching live bait, the girls fished for striper landing 4 keepers, MANY fish over 40 inches and fish everywhere in between! Special shoutout to Heather from MA for out-fishing the rest of the boat on GIANTS!

On June 13th the Northeast Chapter hosted their first ever Chapter Banquet in Brookline, NH. Chapter members and their friends & family came out for a lovely day of celebrating this community of women and raising funds to use for conservation efforts and scholarships! Sara Bardwell, Vikki Casey, & Kandi Prentiss were all recognized for their dedication and their roles supporting the chapter’s creation and continuing success. 

June 17th the Northeast chapter in partnership with MA Fish & Wildlife Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, NWTF, and Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust hosted “Women on Target: Intro to Archery Night” where women could come and learn everything archery! Some women brought their own bows and the rest learned on the ones that the state provided, everyone got to shoot at targets.  

June 28th the NE ladies hosted their 2nd Annual 3D Archery Shoot in Jericho, VT. We COULD NOT have pulled this off without our VT members Kyla and Margo being our boots on the ground and Mike from VT F&W as well as Kyla’s family and local friend for helping us set up our targets and getting lunch donated for all our participants! We saw 27 shooters throughout the day including one person from MA who drove almost 4 hours and 2 youth shooters! 

Pennsylvania Chapter

Our PA Chapter held a guided foraging hike lead by Dannielle Eve from Connected Fungirl Wellness  and Melissa from Wild Women NEPA. Danielle educated the ladies on mushrooms and their benefits and where to find them while Melissa educated us on wild plants both native and invasive and how they can be used as food or medicinal purposes.

We started our hike by making offering to nature and spreading birdseed. We found several different mushrooms and plants that were always assumed to be just weeds! The ladies tried chaga mushroom tea and went home with info and knowledge to find their own plants/mushrooms, a chaga and reishi infused chapstick and cream both made by Dannielle! Anyone local be sure to check out both these amazing ladies and the events they put together! Kayla McKeown – PA EAST Vice President 

On June 28th, the PA Chapter held their 2nd annual kayaking meet & greet at Frances Slocum State park. 9 ladies attended, 3 of which were nonmembers who are now interested in joining!

After kayaking we came together for a pot luck picnic and got to know one another and discuss what they would like to see for future events! We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day either! Kayla McKeown – PA EAST Vice President 

Indiana Chapter

Current Fundraisers

JUNE FUN