Allentown West Rotarian Dr. Barbara Kistler of New Tripoli recently received the Emmaus Rotary Club’s International Women’s Day Celebration Rotary Award.

The award honors a fellow woman Rotarian who is a leader in her chosen field and is leading the way in outstanding International and local humanitarian service.

The presentation was made at the Emmaus Rotary Club’s meeting at the Brookside Country Club, Macungie. Emmaus Rotary President Rick Zayaitz presented the award.

Kistler, who joined the Allentown West Rotary Club in 2004, has worked on nearly every committee and served as club president from 2014-15. She currently holds the position of the club’s foundation chairwoman.

A retired educator and academic dean, Kistler possesses formidable interpersonal and administrative skills.

She continues to participate in a wide range of projects. Her many accomplishments include involving the club in new service projects such as the Christ’s Church at Lowhill Food Pantry, assisting with grant writing for a Rotary Global Grant for Centennial School in Sierra Leone and arranging for the Ukrainian ambassador to speak at the Renaissance Hotel by working with the office of former Congressman Charlie Dent.

Kistler said she was drawn to join the Allentown-West Rotary Club by the club’s initiative “ … to take action and create lasting change in the world.” She especially enjoys taking part in Rotary projects that support schools such as the Dictionary Project for third graders, providing Snack Packs and hosting exchange students.

She also paid homage to former women Rotarians.

“I am here today standing on the shoulders of women who broke ground leadership in Rotary,” she said. “Women bring passion, courage, and caring to Rotary.”