Women’s History Month is the perfect time to remember local women who helped shape both Chester County and Pennsylvania, writes Malcolm Johnstone for County Lines Magazine.

Hannah Callowhill Penn, William Penn’s widow, became governor of what was then the Province of Pennsylvania after his death. She remains the only woman to have served in that position in the Keystone State. She also inherited her husband’s many estates and managed his business affairs. Her many accomplishments include managing the sales of farmland in what is today West Chester.

Patricia Ann Crawford, a graduate of what’s now West Chester University, became the first woman to be elected to the State House of Representatives when she was elected in 1968. She served three consecutive terms, from 1968 to 1976. She later became Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Meanwhile, Genevieve Blatt was the first woman elected to a statewide office in 1954. She also became the first woman to serve as an appellate judge on Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court in 1972.

Alice Kent Schooler was the first female architectural historian of Chester County. She pioneered best practices for historic preservation in West Chester and the surrounding area.

Read more about Women’s History Month and four women who helped shape Chester County in County Lines Magazine.

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