QVNA Spotlight

QVNA Director Honored

In this issue, the QVNA Spotlight is on Executive Director Lucy Erdelac, who was recently recognized as a member of Women Leading the 175th, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Citation given by the Honorable Mary Isaacson to honor the impact women are making across the 175th District.

The theme of the 2022 National Women’s History Month, Providing Healing, Promoting Hope, is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic as well as the extraordinary efforts of women stepping up to help their communities daily. During the shelter-in-place months of the pandemic, Lucy made food insecurity a priority and worked with community partners to connect neighbors experiencing food insecurity with relief. It’s the same dedication that she puts toward her work at QVNA with zoning issues, community meetings, community clean-ups, Earth Day recycling events, and the regular newsletters that provide the most up-to-date information for Queen Village neighbors and beyond. Always ready with a bright smile, an ear for community concerns, and a plan to move forward, we thank you, Lucy, for your efforts, example, and lasting contributions to the community. ■ The House of Representatives Citation

Whereas, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the House of Representatives takes great pride in recognizing the contributions and achievements of those individuals and organizations whose efforts contribute so greatly to the quality of life of our residents, our communities and the nation and world around us; and Whereas, from Betsy Ross, who sewed together the Flag of our nation, to Mary Ware Dennett who paved the way for reproductive access and rights, to Rosa Parks and Shirley Chisholm, who inspired generations of women and children to demand justice and equal treatment, to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who taught us that women belong in all places that decisions are being made, to Christa McAuliffe, who urged children and the children in all of us to reach for the stars, to Kamala Harris, our nation’s first Woman Vice-President, to all the women across this nation who contribute in meaningful and far too often unsung ways, our nation has many outstanding women to celebrate in March during Women’s History Month and throughout the year; and Whereas, the theme for the 2022 National Women’s History Month “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all have cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. The extraordinary sacrifice and efforts of women across the country working from home, helping with schoolwork, addressing business challenges, organizing food banks, and stepping up to help their communities not only during the COVID-19 Crisis, but daily can never be fully quantified or recognized, but through making legislative strides and taking collective action, we can honor them by fighting for equality, access, and justice every single day; and Whereas, the Honorable MaryLouise Isaacson has created the annual “Women Leading the 175th” recognition program, a program that recognizes and honors the impact women are making across the 175th District; and Whereas, Lucy Erdelac is Executive Director of Queen Village Neighbors Association. Since 2018, she has channeled her nonprofit experience, marketing expertise, and entrepreneurial know-how to reinvigorate and grow this 52-year-old organization, positioning it for even greater community impact through its volunteer-driven mission. Today, QVNA is stronger than ever in helping improve quality of life by delivering community stewardship, advocacy, and service. Service and its value to others have been a continuing theme for Lucy. Her first job, as a congressional staff caseworker, entailed helping solve constituents’ problems by cutting through government red tape. For her, that experience proved the value of service through advocacy and perseverance; and Whereas, while the discipline of marketing fed her entrepreneurial spirit, Lucy craved the grounding that only volunteerism can fill. An invitation to create and teach agency management courses for a Villanova certificate program helped satisfy her desire to give back in service to adults preparing for a new career. Service and its value to others are ever-changing; and Whereas, on the volunteer front, she expanded her focus to serve as a marketing consultant and writer for nonprofits. For more than a decade, Lucy volunteered her time and expertise through the Philadelphia Arts + Business Council. As a result of a successful public relations promotion for a small theater group, Lucy was honored with the Council’s Volunteer of the Year Award at its annual business luncheon. Another volunteer marketing project led to an invitation to join the Board of Directors of Art-Reach. Its nonprofit mission resonated with Lucy -- Art-Reach shares access to the joy of arts and culture by serving people who otherwise would not have that experience. Lucy co-chaired the Art-Reach board for nine years, helped guide its growth, and led the organization’s search for an Executive Director when the founder retired; and Whereas, her next career brought a reversal of roles. Now serving as Executive Director of a nonprofit, she found herself working with clients who were themselves volunteers. As chief staff officer for a nonprofit association of self-employed professional organizers, Lucy led the implementation of an aggressive strategic plan that included the integration of new technology to bring the association into the 21st century. For her achievements, Lucy was presented with the Special Service to the National Association of Professional Organizers Award for her vision, commitment, and perseverance. Lucy’s strategic vision, commitment, and perseverance are now focused on the work of QVNA: working closely with its Board of Directors and an ever-growing cadre of volunteers and guiding the implementation of its mission of improving quality of life for community residents. Now therefore, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pauses to recognize and celebrate some of the outstanding contributions made by women leaders in our communities. We should always remember the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who inspires and challenges us daily to “fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” And directs that a copy of this Citation, sponsored by the Honorable MaryLouise Isaacson be transmitted to Lucy Erdelac with our thanks,appreciation and gratitude for her efforts, example and lasting contributions to her community, the Commonwealth and all around the world. We hope you inspire future generations of women leaders to celebrate, honor, and treasure their history as well as make their own.

Mary Isaacson

State Representative Pennsylvania House of Representatives 175th Legislative District

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