PA Humanities announces 30 new Window Keepers nominated by individuals across Pennsylvania

Pennsylvanians from 21 counties recognized by their neighbors and community members for strengthening civic life through the humanities

PA Humanities has announced the second group of honorees selected through The Window Keeper: Civic Honors, an ongoing statewide initiative recognizing Pennsylvanians whose everyday actions help shape strong communities and sustain civic life through the power of the humanities.

The 30 new Window Keepers were nominated by people in their own communities and join the 25 inaugural honorees announced this spring. Nominations remain open through July 31.

While the initiative’s first 25 Window Keepers were selected by PA Humanities staff from the organization’s statewide network of partners, every member of this new group was nominated by someone in their community. They are everyday Pennsylvanians recognized by their colleagues, neighbors, friends and others who have seen firsthand the difference they make in the places they call home.

“What makes this group so special is that every Window Keeper was nominated by someone who has seen their impact up close,” PA Humanities executive director Laurie Zierer said. “Their neighbors, colleagues and community members told us, ‘This is someone whose work matters, and more people should know about it.’ These nominations are a powerful reminder of how much people value those who dedicate their time, creativity and talents to strengthening their communities.”

The 30 new Window Keepers represent 21 counties across Pennsylvania and reflect the many ways people use the humanities to bring people together and create positive change. Their work includes preserving African American and Indigenous histories, documenting and sharing local stories, revitalizing neighborhoods, creating opportunities to experience arts and culture, mentoring young people and building spaces where neighbors can gather, learn and better understand one another.

You can learn more about these Window Keepers on PA Humanities’ interactive statewide map highlighting the people and stories that contribute to Pennsylvania’s civic life. They will also be featured on PA Humanities’ website and social media channels in the coming weeks.

Created in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, The Window Keeper: Civic Honors is inspired by Philadelphia Poet Laureate Yolanda Wisher’s poem “The Window Keeper,” in which the Declaration of Independence is imagined as a vast window that must be continually cleaned, clarified and cared for so it can both let in light and reflect the light of each new day.

Window Keepers take on that work in communities across Pennsylvania. They are neighbors, volunteers, artists, historians, educators, writers, organizers and community members who use storytelling, history, culture and other tools of the humanities to strengthen relationships, deepen understanding and help people feel more connected to the places they call home.

The 30 newest Window Keepers hail from Adams, Allegheny, Berks, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Columbia, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Lancaster, Lehigh, Lycoming, Mercer, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Warren, Wayne and York Counties.

As the statewide leader in the humanities and voice for the cultural sector for over 50 years, PA Humanities has demonstrated how stories, dialogue, and reflection can strengthen communities and expand participation in civic life. Their nationally recognized programs, such as PA Heart & Soul and Youth-Led Humanities, have helped cultivate a growing network of civic leaders across Pennsylvania.

With the nation celebrating its 250th anniversary, PA Humanities hopes to recognize Window Keepers from every Pennsylvania county and create a statewide portrait of the people whose creativity, commitment and care strengthen civic life.

“When we launched this initiative, we knew there were Window Keepers in communities all across Pennsylvania,” Zierer added. “These nominations are proof of that. People are paying attention to the neighbors, colleagues and community members who make their towns and cities stronger, and they want their stories to be told.”

Find more information about The Window Keeper: Civic Honors, including a nomination form and guidelines, and explore the growing network of Window Keepers across Pennsylvania, visit the PA Humanities website.

The Newest Window Keepers

• Kevin Arrington (Education, Erie County)
• Dr. Koreem R. Bell (Culture, Chester County)
• Dr. Charlotte Brown (Community, Philadelphia County)
• Daniel Cocks (History, Fayette County)
• Mindy Gulden Crawford (History, York County)
• Patricia ‘Ann’ Dunlavy  (History, Huntingdon County)
• Georgie Gould (History, Philadelphia County)
• Jean Howard Green (History, Adams County)
• Paul Hamilton (Culture, Erie County)
• Mabel Howard (Arts, Erie County)
• Alaina Johns (Journalism, Philadelphia County)
• Duwenavue Santé Johnson (Arts, Philadelphia County)
• Curtis Jones Jr. (Community, Erie County)
• Alexandria Kaelin (History, Cambria County)
• Tannis Kowalchuk (Arts, Wayne County)
• Yocasta Lora (Community, Montgomery County)
• Dr. Mandy Manna (Education, Philadelphia County)
• Michael Mantooth (History, Lancaster County)
• Abby Minor (Storytelling, Centre County)
• Anthony Moyer (Arts, Lehigh County)
• Anna Poole,  (Culture, Crawford County)
• Diane Samuels (Storytelling, Allegheny County)
• Lee Scandinaro (Community, Crawford County)
• Cindy Schultz (Culture, Columbia County)
• Shirley Sharp (History, Jefferson County)
• Susan Shifrin (Community, Berks County)
• Caleb Stright  (Journalism, Mercer County)
• Zabeth Teelucksingh (Culture, Montgomery County)
• Alice Trowbridge (Storytelling, Lycoming County)
• Erin Wallace (Community, Warren County)

The Window Keeper: Civic Honors initiative is supported in part by Pennsylvania state legislators, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donor Randall Miller. “The Window Keeper” by Yolanda Wisher was commissioned by PA Humanities and ArtPhilly for America250PA’s National Convening of State Partners Closing Dinner on September 21, 2024. The Civic Honors initiative was recently previewed on April 15 in the Pennsylvania House, where Rep. Joe Ciresi (D–146) opened the session with a reading of the poem. A celebration recognizing all the selected Window Keepers is planned for the fall.