For the second consecutive year, Penn E&R sponsored the Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia’s Annual Touchstone Award Reception. Nearly 200 professionals turned out for the event held at the historic Phoenixville Foundry and Heritage Center in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.
Each year, the Touchstone Award honors a woman who sets a standard for quality and excellence in the environmental field and is distinguished by her professional commitment, leadership
Known as the Renaissance woman of Phoenixville, Ms. Barbara Cohen served as keynote speaker at the event. In her address, Ms. Cohen explained her role in the borough’s redevelopment, including how she has led the charge to restore and repurpose the foundry building, originally built in 1882. Ms. Cohen still serves as a tour guide at the foundry and educates the public about the building and borough’s rich history.
SWEP Greater Philadelphia also awarded three scholarships and one grant during the ceremony. As part of its mission to encourage and promote leadership, achievement and the professional development of women in the environmental field, the organization presented graduate scholarships to three women studying to pursue environmental careers—Adrienne Donaghue, Katie Lample, and Elena Rohner. The Darby Creek Valley Association was chosen to receive the grant, which helps fund organizations or programs that creatively enhance, restore or protect the environment or that provide environmental awareness through educational sessions with a particular emphasis on encouraging girls and women in the sciences, engineering or environmental fields.
