March is Women’s History Month.
West Chester Township is taking the opportunity to recognize some of the very special and influential women who’ve helped make our community what it is today.
For more West Chester history, visit www.WestChesterOH.org/200.
Virginia Shewalter
Born July 14, 1916, Virginia Shewalter grew up in Gano and graduated from Union Township High School. Virginia served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and the Women’s Army Corps for three years during World War II, rising to the rank of Captain, and later returned to teach English at Lakota High School. She is the author of “A History of Union Township, Butler County, Ohio,” published posthumously in 1979, chronicling our community's beginnings. Her inspiring life story and service to our nation is the subject of a “Local History” feature by the MidPointe Library System. The library collaborated with West Chester-Union Township Historical Society to present the “Virginia Shewalter Letters Collection,” an archive of letters sent home by Capt. Shewalter during her military service.
Mary Raffel
Remembered affectionately as “Miss Mary,” Mary Hamen Raffel began her career in West Chester parks & recreation in 1988 and continued to work until her death in 2008. Miss Mary was a devoted naturalist and educator who left a lasting legacy in West Chester as a champion of the environment during her 20-year career. Miss Mary was known for rescuing injured wildlife in the community, supporting Eagle Scout projects in the parks and working with Lakota teachers and students to create outdoor classrooms. Mary led efforts to preserve The Cabin in the Clearing at Keehner Park, which was dedicated in her memory after her passing December 27, 2008. Many of the programs she started like Armchair Program, The Great Pumpkin Fest, Nature Basket and the WOLF (World of Land, Forest and Friends) Program continue to bring joy to residents of all ages to this very day.
Patricia Williams
Patricia Williams was born January 29, 1923 and recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her friends, family and loved ones. Ms. Williams and her husband Bill were once owners of the Gano Tavern and an ice cream shop on State Route 42. Ms. Williams was first elected to the position of clerk/fiscal officer for West Chester Township in 1975 and she opened the Township’s first formal administrative offices. She served nine terms, or 36 years, in office. Patricia retired from her post in 2012 at the age of 89, having served alongside 14 different trustees during the most transformative years of West Chester’s development.
Did You Know
Four women have served West Chester Township residents as a member of the Board of Trustees, including current Trustee Ann Becker who was first elected in 2017. Bitsy Shafner, elected in 1985, served 9 years and Catherine Stoker, elected in 1994, served 20 years. Kay Rogers was appointed to fill a vacant position for a year in 1989.
Women made up about 20 percent of all current employees (64 out of 318) in 2022. More than a quarter of those women had 16 or more years of experience with the Township. 18 women in Police Department (17 full-time, 1 part-time) 12 women in Administration (11 full-time, 1 part-time) 12 women in 911 Communications (all full-time) 8 women in Fire Department (5 full-time, 4 part-time) 7 women in Community Development (5 full-time, 2 part-time) 4 women in Community Services (3 full-time, 1 seasonal) 3 women in Public Information & Engagement (2 full-time, 1 seasonal)
In 2022, Public Information & Engagement Director Barb Wilson was named a recipient of the 2022 Women of Excellence award sponsored by the West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance.