Publisher’s Letter

At County Lines Magazine, we’re celebrating Women’s History Month. In that spirit, we offer “Women Leaders,” featuring profiles of six exceptional local women. Each tells the story of her rise to leadership, the challenges she confronted and the advice she seeks to pass on.

Drawing from local history, Jennifer Green of the Chester County History Center shares the story of Dr. Ann Preston, born in Chester County, who graduated from the first class of the first American women’s medical college and later became the first female professor of medicine in the country. Later, she became dean of the Women’s Medical College: another first. Read about her in “Chester County Pathfinder.”

Women bring unique perspectives, experiences and approaches to leadership that foster inclusivity, innovation and empathy. In “Books that Inspire,” Cathy Fiebach of Main Point Books asks six local bookstore owners to recommend inspiring books on female leadership. Read their selections. And in “Supporting Women and Girls,” Shannon Montgomery identifies eight local nonprofit organizations that help and suggests ways to get involved.

Three local medical experts discuss developments in areas of special concern to women. Dr. Yesenia A. Marroquin of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia discusses “Teen Anxiety.” Dr. Nikhil Shyam of Main Line Dermatology discusses “Hair Loss in Women.” And Dr. Arina Chesnokova of Penn Medicine writes that “Menopause Is Having a Moment.”

I wrote “Independent Schools Are Having a Strong Season,” especially the girls’ teams. Several are ranked first in the state in their sports. The girls’ teams at Westtown School, Villa Maria Academy and Tower Hill School are especially dominant. Parents read our guide to “Summer Camps,” edited by Marci Tomassone.

Two upcoming events deserve special consideration in March: the Oscars and March Madness. In “Game On and Glam On,” Liz Tarditi of Phoenixville’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits suggests drinks that will go well with each.

Oh, and don’t forget St. Patrick’s Day! Brandywine Table’s Courtney Diener-Stokes, in “Comfort Foods of Ireland to Round Out the Winter,” suggests Irish pubs in Media, Phoenixville and West Chester to score a Guinness. And check out the recipes for Guinness short ribs, shepherd’s pie, colcannon and other Irish treats.

And as always, we have plenty of Family Fun and the Best Local Events.

Perhaps you already have County Lines delivered to your mailbox. Save it for future reference. At CountyLinesMagazine.com, you can read the March issue online. At Issuu.com, you can read the digital issue. Or click “Get A Copy” on our website to find locations to pick up your own print copy.

We hope you’d like to subscribe to County Lines. Do it on our website or call 610-918-9300. For single issues, try Wellington Square Bookshop, Main Point Books or Reads & Co. Bookstore. Visiting an advertiser is also a great — and free — way to find copies!

We hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you for reading this month and all year long!

Ed Malet, Publisher

610-918-9300

Women Leaders

Theater, banking, community service, government, restaurants and chamber of commerce. We asked six women, the leaders of several institutions in Chester County, to describe their careers and what advice they’d pass on.  Abigail Adams of People’s Light, Lydia Willits Bartholomew of the National Bank of Malvern, Glenda Brion of the Community Warehouse Project, Pennsylvania Senator Carolyn Comitta, Sydney Grims of Fearless Restaurants, and Katie Walker of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce: each tells her story of inspiration and challenge.

Chester County Pathfinder

In 1846, a doctor in Kennett Square invited a select company of local doctors to his home to discuss the subject of training women in medicine. Five years later, the first graduating class included Chester County’s Ann Preston. Born in West Grove in 1813, she became the first female professor in a regular medical college in the country. Later, in 1865, she became the first female dean of a degree-granting medical college in the United States. Later, before she died at the age of 58, she arranged for Emeline Cleveland, one of the most brilliant doctors in the county, to succeed her.

Independent Schools are Having a Strong Season

Area private schools are yielding exceptional athletes and teams, especially the girls this year. Westtown School is ranked #1 in Pennsylvania girls’ basketball. Villa Maria Academy was #1 in field hockey. And Tower Hill School was ranked #1 in Delaware in volleyball. Other schools are near the top. Friends’ Central School and the Academy of Notre Dame are near the top in girls’ basketball. Bishop Shanahan was very good in volleyball. Girls’ soccer at Episcopal Academy and Agnes Irwin School also had strong seasons. Wilmington Friends School had a superb field hockey team. Boys’ teams at Malvern Prep, Devon Prep, Haverford School, Wilmington Friends and Sanford School have also fared well.