Indiana University School of Social Work, Kathy family smiling at camera

( Back row second from right: Kathy Branham)

Kathy Branham, an avid football and basketball fan, knew she wanted to attend a Big 10 School.  She had an interest in pursuing Social Work and Indiana University was the only school to offer such a program in 1966. Selecting IU was a simple decision.  As a transfer student in her sophomore year, Kathy stepped foot on the Bloomington campus and, sight unseen, moved into Briscoe dorm. Her minors in Psychology and Sociology nicely complemented the Social Service program which she describes as challenging. Professor Theodora Allen left an impact on Kathy and is remembered as a wonderful mentor to social work students.  Kathy was a member of the Social Service Club and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the program.   

At the time of graduation, Kathy knew she wanted to work with children.  In 1969, she relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana and became a case worker for the Huntington County Welfare Department where she focused on adoptions, foster care, and neglect and abuse cases. During this time, Kathy met her husband, John, a 1966 graduate of the Mauer School of Law, who was working as a public defender.  They share three daughters who are all IU Bloomington graduates. 

Kathy worked for the Huntington County Welfare Department July 1969-1971, and then from November 1973-1978 before she was asked to lead a newly formed group home for girls.  She later opened her own insurance agency which she retired from in 2017.  She shattered the glass ceiling for women in Huntington County when she was elected as the first woman on the County Council and served eight years as its president.  Kathy was also a member of the County Commission and the first female president of the Huntington Rotary Club.  She served on the boards of IARCA, United Way, and Huntington County Community Foundation. John was the Huntington County Prosecutor for 28 years.  Their daughter Amy was elected to this position after John’s retirement and is now a Magistrate.  John made his own mark at IU when elected as the first non-Greek student class president his freshman year. 

Favorite IU Memory:  Going to the Union in the fall/winter to study near a roaring fire while students played the piano. 

Favorite Hobby:  Reading historical novels 

Favorite Vacation Spot:  Hilton Head, SC