POTTSVILLE — The role women had in shaping Schuylkill County and beyond was the topic explored Wednesday at the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

“Some of these women have done outstanding things,” JoAnn Chuba, a member of the society and curator of the event, said.

Chuba and Peter Yasenchak, Ph.D., talked about women and the role they had in shaping society. Visitors were also free to look at the pictures, historical information and period outfits from years ago.

Thomas Drogalis, executive director of the historical society, also spoke. “There is such a rich history here in Schuylkill County. Nothing to be ashamed of and certainly a lot of be proud of,” he said.

Chuba had the idea after thinking women don’t get enough credit for the roles they have in history.

When she thought of history in the county, her thoughts often went to men and their footprints in it.

“I think women have been left out of history and they have a story to be told,” she said.

She mentioned the first female baseball player, Lizzie Arlington, who grew up in Mahanoy City. She played her first baseball game in 1898. Perhaps more well known is Mary Twardzik or Mrs. T of Mrs. T’s Pierogies.

“The company is the largest producer of the coal region food in the world,” Chuba said.

Other firsts include Frances Zerbey Braun, an attorney and first woman member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and Margaret Sillyman, the first woman postmistress.

All women have contribute to history, Chuba said.

Chuba invited Yasenchak to talk about his mother, Anna, who was married to a coal miner.

She arrived on a boat from overseas in January 1900 to settle in Pennsylvania after her passage was paid by a relative in the United States. She went to live with a relative in Kingston.

Yasenchak didn’t know her exact age at the time but reasoned she was about 15 or 16 years old. He described how life was hard for his mother but she was a resourceful woman.

“My mother raised 11 children,” he said. She died at 105 years old.

Lawrence Vinskie, 59, of MaryD, said hearing about Yasenchak’s mother reminded him of his grandmother, whom he lived with when he was growing up.

He said she also was a very resourceful woman.

Ginny Adams, 62, of Pottsville, also enjoyed the presentations.

For example, she did not know about the woman who played sports or some of the “firsts” by women from the county.

The exhibit will be open for viewing until early November at the historical society, 305 N. Centre St.
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