On the Road with America250PA: March 2026

America250PA celebrates Women’s History Month with a special Harrisburg luncheon and panel featuring Pennsylvania’s First Ladies and a keynote from Dr. Jill Biden. The event highlights women’s leadership while supporting the America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program.

America250PA, PA First Ladies Celebrate Women’s History Month by Investing in Pennsylvania Students

March is Women’s History Month—a time to honor the generations of women who have shaped Pennsylvania and our nation. At America250PA, we recognize the women whose dedication and service make Pennsylvania stronger every day. We honor their achievements, amplify their voices, and recommit to building a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.

A woman reads a picture book to a classroom of young students. — First Lady Lori Shapiro reads to students as part of A250PA’s Keystone Classroom Initiative.

That spirit will take center stage on March 25 as America250PA hosts a Women’s History Month luncheon and panel in Harrisburg.

The program will feature Pennsylvania’s First Ladies past and present—Lori Shapiro, Frances Wolf, Kathy Schweiker, and Michele Ridge—in a conversation about leadership, service, and the values that continue to guide Pennsylvania as we celebrate 250 years of American independence. Their stories reflect an enduring thread of civic leadership carried forward across generations. For many Pennsylvanians—especially young women—hearing directly from leaders who have served the Commonwealth in this unique role offers inspiration, perspective, and hard-earned wisdom.

Melissa Fitzgerald, actress, author, and Pennsylvania native best known for her role on The West Wing, will moderate the discussion. Together, the panel will reflect on the essential role women have played in shaping Pennsylvania’s and America’s story and celebrate the generations whose vision and perseverance continue to strengthen our communities.

The event will also feature a keynote address from Dr. Jill Biden, former First and Second Lady of the United States and another proud Pennsylvania native. Dr. Biden has spent her life in the classroom and in public service, advocating for education and for the potential of young people across the country. Her voice brings a powerful sense of purpose as Pennsylvania marks 250 years of American independence in a way that instills confidence, curiosity, and pride in the generation who will one day celebrate the Tricentennial.

A young woman delivers a speech during the A250PA Direct Effect Challenge. — A Penn State Altoona Student participates in A250PA’s 2025 Direct Effect™ Innovation Challenge. Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services.

That belief in the next generation is also the purpose behind this event, which will benefit America250PA’s Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program.

In recognition of our Commonwealth’s longstanding commitment to education, America250PA will award $250,000 in scholarships to Pennsylvania high school seniors attending in-state colleges and universities during the 2026–2027 academic year.

The response has been inspiring. More than 1,700 students from all 67 counties submitted applications—young Pennsylvanians who want to learn, grow, and build their futures right here in the Commonwealth. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April 2026 and selected based on their understanding of civic values and how the meaning of citizenship has evolved from 1776 to 2026. We want every award to be a recognition of the student’s potential and an invitation to carry the spirit of the Semiquincentennial into their future.

Part of our mission at America250PA is to remind Pennsylvanians that our story is still being written—by leaders in Harrisburg and Washington, by students searching for their place in the world, and by ordinary citizens willing to invest in what comes next.

We hope you’ll #JoinUs for this enlightening conversation!