Maureen Wilkens recognized as 2024 Woman of Impact by Cape & Islands United Way

Maureen Wilkens has left a mark on Cape Cod and the Islands.

For decades, she and her husband Frank Jr., were serial philanthropists who donated generously to Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation , Cape Cod Community College , the Cape and Islands United Way , Housing Assistance Corporation , Salvation Army and Osterville Library , according to a United Way press release. Since Frank's death in 2011, Maureen has continued the legacy.

This year, she has been named the 2024 Woman of Impact by the Cape and Islands United Way . The award is given annually at an event called Power of the Purse. The award recognizes women who have done extraordinary work for people in their communities.

Since 1991 when the Wilkenses retired to Osterville, they have shared their good fortunes with the wider Cape community. They donated millions of dollars to charities across the region. From the Cape Cod Hospital Healthcare Foundation to Osterville Free Library, Cape Cod Community College to the Salvation Army, the couple has shared their wealth to make the lives of fellow Cape Cod residents better.

Support for Cape Cod Community College

By 2022 the Wilkenses had donated $11.2 million to Cape Cod Community College. They created an endowment fund for nursing program faculty with a $500,000 donation and gave $5 million to build the Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center .

They donated millions to Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation over the years. The hospital’s Outpatient Medical Complex carries their name.

Maureen continued to donate generously after Frank’s death. She established the Maureen Murphy Wilkens School of Nursing and Clinical Sciences at Emmanuel College where she studied nursing.

“She is amazing,” said United Way Cape and Islands President and CEO Mark Skala. “She and her husband have left an indelible mark on philanthropy on the Cape.”

Skala said Wilkens almost didn’t want to accept the award.

“She is very unassuming,” he said. “We felt strongly that there was no one else we wanted to honor this year.”

Previous Woman of Impact recipients include Doreen Bilezikian, co-founder of the Christmas Tree Shops; Dorothy Savarese, retired chairman and CEO of Cape Cod 5; Trish Kennedy, entrepreneur and philanthropist; and Jen Villa, co-owner of the West End and co-founder of the nonprofit Love, Live, Local.

The Woman of Impact award is given annually at an event called Power of the Purse. This year’s event will be held on Oct. 16 at the Hyannisport Club and hosted by Women United, a partner of United Way. Tickets and sponsorships are available at https://www.capeandislandsuw.org/ .

Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting the Cape’s residents and visitors. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com .

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Maureen Wilkens recognized as 2024 Woman of Impact by Cape & Islands United Way