A Doylestown woman whose life journey spans the Cold War defense industry, the dawn of the video game era, and decades of local civic involvement has been named the 2026 recipient of the Bucks County Women’s History Month Award.
Doreen Stratton, Pearl S. Buck International announced, will be recognized for a lifetime of leadership, volunteerism, and advocacy. The annual honor, coordinated locally with support from groups including Pearl S. Buck International, celebrates women who serve as role models through outstanding community involvement.
From Doylestown roots to historic moments in tech
One of six siblings, Stratton was raised in Doylestown in the same home her grandparents settled in during the 19th century. Family documents, letters, and journals preserved there helped spark a lifelong passion for history and storytelling.
A graduate of Central Bucks High School, Class of 1960, Stratton faced limited expectations early on. She later reflected on being steered away from college by a school counselor, an experience she said mirrored the barriers many women of color encountered in that era.
After marrying an Air Force airman in 1963, she moved to California and lived for a decade near Travis Air Force Base. While working at a research facility supporting government defense and space efforts, she witnessed the rapid progress of the U.S. space program during the race to the moon.
Following a divorce and remarriage, Stratton later joined the workforce in Silicon Valley during the early 1970s. She worked at Atari in its formative years, experiencing firsthand the explosive growth of the home video game industry following the release of “Pong.” As the industry shifted and corporate ownership changed, she chose to leave and return east.
A life of service back home
Stratton’s return to Doylestown marked the beginning of decades of civic engagement. She volunteered on the congressional campaign of Peter H. Kostmayer in the early 1980s, later working in his district office. She went on to build a long career with Bucks County government, serving in the county’s personnel department until her retirement in 2007.
Her volunteer work also took on an international dimension. A 1999 trip to Ghana, which she described as a return to her ancestral homeland, deepened her commitment to sharing stories about culture, heritage, and identity. She later became active with the Bucks County League of Women Voters, continuing her focus on civic participation and education.
Stratton has described herself as a storyteller, self-taught writer, history enthusiast, and an outspoken advocate for equity. Now in her 80s, she has said she still has “a few wishes” left to fulfill.
Event details
Stratton will be honored during a public reception on March 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the James-Lorah Memorial Home, 132 N. Main St., Doylestown.
Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
For ticket information, attendees may contact Marilyn Puchalski at [email protected].
