Pat Stryker
Patricia A. Stryker is an American billionaire businessperson, philanthropist, and political activist. Stryker is the granddaughter of Homer Stryker, founder of Stryker Corporation, a medical technology company.
Since the early 2000s, she has become more active in civic life. In 2001, she founded the Bohemian Foundation, which focuses on music, arts and the community through grantmaking, programs, and events. She donated $3 million to defeat a 2002 ballot initiative to limit bilingual education in Colorado. In 2004, she gave $20 million to Colorado State University, mostly to benefit its football team.
Stryker bought Sonoma's Sommer Vineyards in 1999, which she rebuilt, replanted, and rechristened as Stryker Sonoma. It covers 32 acres in Alexander Valley, California, producer of classic vinifera varieties Bordeaux and Zinfandel. In May 2016, she sold the winery to focus on her foundation work.
As of 2021, Stryker ranks #340 on the Forbes Women 400.
Early life
Patricia A. Stryker was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on April 6, 1956. Stryker enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, but did not complete a degree. In 1976, Stryker's father, Lee, died in an airplane accident in Wyoming. Four years later, in 1980, Stryker relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado, where she had attended summer camp as a child.Bohemian Foundation
Stryker has funded the Bohemian Foundation which, in addition to national and international programs, funds music and other initiatives in Larimer County, Colorado, the Fort Collins, Colorado area, notably the annual Bohemian Nights at New West Fest. She has also donated a substantial amount to Colorado State University, which is located in Fort Collins.Political donations
In 2006, Stryker gave $500,000 to the Coalition for Progress, a political action committee that donated heavily to support Democratic party candidates in Michigan elections.In 2008, Stryker gave $87,500 to the Presidential Inaugural Committee for President-Elect Barack Obama.
Stryker donated $3 million to defeat a 2002 ballot initiative regarding bilingual education in Colorado.
Stryker donated $1.5 million to Priorities USA Action, a Super PAC supporting Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016. She was among the largest donors in the 2016 election.