Barbara Gohn

Barbara ("Bobbie") Gohn Day was a co-founder of WIL of Greater Philadelphia.

Bobbie, a banker, world traveler, and activist in civic, cultural and women's causes, died of breast cancer on July 31, 2009 at Pennsylvania Hospital. Bobbie was born in Philadelphia, in the same hospital where she died surrounded by loved ones.

Bobbie had a career in banking and investment advisory services that spanned more than 20 years. She retired from Bank of America in Philadelphia as a senior vice president. Her love of travel started when she was young. Bobbie's daughter, Elisabeth Richard of Bethesda, MD, recalled that her mother told her of taking a trip around the world with her parents while she was in college. She was planning a trip to Antarctica, the only continent she had not visited.

"Despite a prolonged 15-plus-year fight with breast cancer, she never felt pity for herself," Richard said. "She kept working toward what she was dedicated to, with a passion."

Her passions were many. Bobbie served with numerous organizations, advancing her interest in the arts, women's issues, and international affairs.

In April of 2009, WIL of Greater Philadelphia gave Bobbie their first Inspirational Award. On March 1, 2011, WIL renamed the award in her honor and named Lori Greenawalt recipient of the Bobbie Gohn Inspirational Award.

Bobbie was a past volunteer of the year for the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Among her other service involvements were the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Curtis School of Music, the Rock School of Ballet, Penn State, the World Affairs Council, and the Women's Investment Network. She had been president of the International Alliance for Women, a global organization for the support of professional women.

"I think that some of her most remarkable qualities were that she was strong and lived life to the fullest," her daughter said.

Village Bank

In Bobbie's memory, WIL of Greater Philadelphia funded a bank in Guatemala in her name. The bank was formally dedicated in Bobbie's name in June 2010. Read about the bank, the businesses funded and WIL's trip to visit Guatemala in April 2010.