As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we at PA Humanities wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible power of women on our very own Board of Directors. Our board is a committed and diverse team of professionals working to put the humanities into action to create positive change across Pennsylvania. Members have backgrounds in business, law, education, philanthropy, government, and arts and culture, and 19 out of 23 are women!
Earlier this month, we asked them why service on the PA Humanities board is important to them, what woman from history inspires their dedication to public service and why it’s important to celebrate the many contributions of women to history. Here’s what they answered:
Maureen McGuigan (Scranton)
Maureen McGuigan is the Deputy Director of Arts and Culture for Lackawanna County.
Why is service on the PA Humanities board important?
Serving on the PA Humanities board allows me to be part of the process that nurtures impactful programming across the state. This is important work as it encourages us to explore the deeper questions of what it means to be human, strengthen communities and encourage civic dialogue.
What woman from history inspires your dedication to public service? To your field of work?
I work for local government and oversee the Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Department. Public service and the power of arts and humanities to act as a catalyst for change has always been an important driver of my work. Audre Lorde (1934-1992) is an inspiration for me as she was an accomplished poet, essayist and novelist who blended her work as an artist with activism and public service. A self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” she was an advocate for the rights of women, people of color and the LGBTQ community throughout her career. She also worked as librarian in New York City public schools throughout the sixties, received a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and was a co-founder of Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, among many other accomplishments.
Why is it important to celebrate women’s many contributions to history?
The world has changed in many positive ways for women. But we still reckon with the reality that for centuries women’s accomplishments and contributions were not recognized as part of traditional historical narratives. Intentionally celebrating and recognizing the accomplishments of women throughout history ensures we have a richer, dynamic understanding of our human story.
Safronia Perry (Carlisle)
Safronia Perry is the Executive Director of Hope Station, a non-profit that serves low-income families in Carlisle.
Why is service on the PA Humanities board important?
Service on the PA Humanities Board is important because of the diversity and the networking. I’m a leader in my community and being able to meet and speak with other leaders throughout Pennsylvania means that I can serve my community better. I also think that the work of the humanities is so important.
What woman from history inspires your dedication to public service? To your field of work?
There are many women from history that inspire my dedication. Seeing the power that we have as women and the way we use our voices to stand up for others has helped me on my journey.
Why is it important to celebrate women’s many contributions to history?
It’s important to celebrate women’s contributions because there are so many. It’s also important because we can inspire young girls to do and be anything that they want.
Sr. Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D (Scranton)
Sister Mary Persico is currently serving as the twelfth president of Marywood University in Scranton.
What woman from history inspires your dedication to public service? To your field of work?
The spirit of Dorothy Day has long inspired my life of public service. Dorothy was a down-to-earth human being who had no airs and raised up the marginalized in all that she did. The personal qualities she owned in herself are those qualities I strive to emulate. She was a faith-filled and humble servant, an advocate for social justice, a wisdom figure, and a community-builder. She was a pacifist who abhorred violence, racism, and elitism, and championed the poorest among us.
Zabeth Teelucksingh (Philadelphia)
Zabeth Teelucksingh leads the Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) a nonprofit committed to connecting Philadelphia and its international community as a city of global significance.
Why is service on the PA Humanities board important?
PA Humanities is a wonderful organization helping to propagate the humanities as an active tool for communication and to foster a greater understanding of each other. Now more than ever such capability is important.
What woman from history inspires your dedication to public service? To your field of work?
Heritage is the story of your past. Understanding the past helps us to move forward in the future. World Heritage sites are a collection of places that apply to ALL humanity and help each of us to better understand the past. From Cleopatra to Malala, Princess Diana to Harriet Tubman, I find inspiration in countless women who have raised a beacon to the power of humanity and its collective impact on us all.
Why is it important to celebrate women’s many contributions to history?
History is told through perspective. A woman’s voice in history is her perspective and brings a different voice to the man’s voice. Both have their place. All too often the woman’s voice has been ignored, thereby omitting a past aspect to our collective history. I am hopeful that we are changing that today.
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