What do former Gov. Dick Thornburgh, television icon Fred Rogers and philanthropists Elsie and Henry Hillman all have in common? The obvious answer is they all proudly called Pittsburgh home. They also share a unique distinction of being recipients of the Pennsylvania Society Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement, presented to them at the society’s annual dinner during Pennsylvania Society weekend in New York City.
Membership in the society is as diverse as Pennsylvania itself. The organization has existed for 123 years for the sole purpose of bringing Pennsylvanians together twice each year to recognize achievement, and to promote civil discourse, friendship and goodwill between members who don’t often get to gather socially. We also have contributed millions of dollars in scholarships and to various Pennsylvania charities.
Has the weekend grown to include politicians and business leaders hosting receptions and mixers? Yes, which has made the weekend all the more impactful because it is a forum that respects civility and identifies areas of shared agreement and respect rather than highlighting our differences.
We wish your editorial staff had been in the room Dec. 5 when we presented Dr. Ala Stanford with this year’s gold medal. Her work in underserved neighborhoods of Philadelphia to provide covid-19 testing and vaccines is inspiring.
Stanford, Thornburgh, Mister Rogers and the Hillmans are what the Pennsylvania Society is all about.
Edward J. Sheehan Jr.
Johnstown