Women Who Shaped Lackawanna County: A Panel Discussion Celebrating Past Contributions and Present Impact

Celebrating Women’s Leadership, Generosity & Impact in Lackawanna County

For generations, women have helped shape our communities, not only through charitable giving, but through leadership, volunteerism, advocacy, service, and a willingness to step forward when their communities needed them.

As Pennsylvania and the nation commemorate 250 years, join us for a special community conversation exploring the important role women have played in strengthening Lackawanna County’s past, present, and future.

The conversation will bring together local leaders from the Lackawanna Historical Society, The Century Club, Junior League of Scranton, and the Scranton Area Community Foundation—organizations that each offer a unique perspective on how women have shaped our region. Together, panelists will explore women’s contributions through philanthropy, volunteerism, history, civic engagement, and community leadership, while sharing stories and perspectives that connect our past to what community leadership can look like for the next generation.

Meet the Panelists:
Sarah Piccini, Lackawanna Historical Society
Cathy Chamoni, The Century Club
Noelle Griffiths, Junior League of Scranton
Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation

Come be inspired by the women who came before us, celebrate the women making a difference today, and consider the role each of us can play in shaping the next chapter of our community.

Hosted by Women in Philanthropy, an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, this event reflects our belief that everyone has something meaningful to contribute to their community. By bringing women together to learn, connect, give, volunteer, and lead, Women in Philanthropy creates opportunities to turn individual contributions into collective impact. We invite you to join us for this special conversation, celebrate the women who have helped shape our region, and discover how you can be part of what comes next. This event is part of the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s America250PA celebration.

Before or after the program, we invite you to visit the America250PA bell at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, titled A State of Giving, A City of Hope. Unveiled in September 2025, the one-of-a-kind bell was designed by local artist Cherie Fruehan and is one of just over 100 bells placed across Pennsylvania as part of America250PA’s statewide Bells Across PA initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Sponsored by the Scranton Area Community Foundation with generous support from Susan and Dorrance Belin, the bell celebrates our community’s history, generosity, and hope for the future.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended and light fare will be provided.