Women’s History Month

The DCWC has taken a leading role in recognizing the efforts and ingenuity of women throughout our community. The Commission spearheads the yearly recognition of women’s accomplishments every March, which has been designated nationally and locally by Delaware County Council as Women’s History Month. A variety of events have been held under the auspices of Women’s History Month, including the selection of the annual Delaware County Woman of Achievement, recognizing the achievement of women who are taking an active role in improving the community, and the DCWC Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, spotlighting the lives of outstanding women in the county’s history. In 2005, Comcast, Commerce Bank, ConocoPhilips, the Delaware County Republican Women’s Committee, Interboro BPW, Michael F. X. Gillin, Esq., PECO Energy, and Vollmer Associates provided financial support for these activities. The Commission also plans to develop a booklet honoring the historical accomplishments of individual women.

Delaware County Woman of Achievement Award

Delaware County Women’s Hall of Fame

In 1986, the DCWC created the Woman of Achievement Award to recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations that have positively impacted Delaware County. Members of the community submit nominations for this award, and each year, the honorees are celebrated at the annual Recognition Reception. Criteria for selection include a lifetime record of accomplishment, a career in a non-traditional role or the overcoming of significant obstacles to success, community involvement, and a continuing contribution to the community on behalf of women and girls. Since the establishment of the Women’s Hall of Fame, the Commission has selected one woman per year to be inducted. The lone exception to this was 1996. In honor of the 10^th anniversary of the award, 10 women were selected for this honor.

The DCWC Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1992 as a partner to the Woman of Achievement award, posthumously recognizing the efforts of great women. Those elected to the Hall of Fame are chosen for extraordinary achievement and historical contribution to the quality of life in Delaware County.

The Hall of Fame and the Women of Achievement are currently 70 women strong, with 7 organizations and the suffragists of Delaware County also included in the ranks of those honored. Previous honorees are:

 

 

Year of Induction	Hall of Fame
1992	Mary Barton Luckie 1861-1933
1993	Dorothy Biddle James 1900-1985
1994	Graceana Lewis 1821-1912
1995	Delaware County Suffragists - 75th Anniversary
1996	Dr. Dorothy Dunning Chacko 1904-1992
1997	Mary (Polly) Frazer 1745-1830
1998	Julie DeJohn Patterson 1928-1996
1999	Ethel Waters 1900-1977
2000	Sr. Mary Liguori, SHCJ 1912-1995
2001	Mary Ann Arty 1926-2000
2002	Patricia Caputo 1943-2001
2003	Patricia Holsten, Esq. 1946-2002
2004	Lillian Holton 1922-2002
2005	Mary C. Pileggi 1930-2005

 

Nominations are accepted throughout the year. A nomination form is provided below. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document.

DCWC Woman of Achievement and Women’s Hall of Fame Nomination Form (Available Soon)

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