Coatesville, PA – March 30, 2026 – The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum (NISHM) in Coatesville, PA, along with the Gunard Berry Carlson Memorial Foundation, PECO, and The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust is pleased to announce its 20th annual Rebecca Lukens Award to be presented to Chester County Community Foundation’s CEO/President, Karen Simmons. Ms. Simmons “Has worked with an abiding passion for the local community, family philanthropy, and the legacy work of the Foundation.  She works with balancing a long view of success with a sense of urgency about the work at hand and understands the weight of what it means to steward community assets for perpetuity,” according to her nominators.

Growing Up:

This year’s Rebecca Lukens honoree Karen Ann Simmons was born in Rochester, NY in 1962, the second of five children. Karen recalls, “When I grew up, girls were supposed to be quiet and passive. I was extremely shy, so I observed and listened a lot. I found that I could quickly intuit solutions, so I started to speak up.  And I’m a physical learner and action-verb, so I just do things. When anyone tries to guess my birth order, they always assume I am the first born. This frustrates my older brother greatly. As far back as I can remember, if there’s an absence of leadership, I take charge and creatively solve problems. I can thoroughly relate to Rebecca Lukens stepping in to straighten out the family business:  who else was going to have the motivation, dedication, passion, and brains?”  

The Simmons family moved from the big city to a small rural town in the late 1960s: Elba, NY which is located midway between Rochester and Buffalo NY in the heart of lake-effect snow country and bountiful agriculture for the brief summer months. By high school, shy, awkward, bright overachiever Karen Simmons was the yearbook editor twice, student council officer numerous times, a cheerleader for a very short time, in Science club, French club.  In senior year, she stage-managed the class play, was Valedictorian of her class receiving numerous scholarships, was runner up in the regional Junior Miss Pageant, and low and behold --- was crowned Onion Queen at the summer festival.  All this while owning and running several ballet studios throughout the region before graduating high school.   

Realizing her skills, Karen’s high school art teacher insisted she apply early admission to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. It’s slogan, “Health, History and Horses” reflects Saratoga’s legacy as a fashionable spa town, Revolutionary War battleground site, and a hub for thoroughbred racing, with a vibrant downtown and plentiful Victorian architecture. While earning her Bachelor’s in Dance, Education and Business (a triple major, before Arts Administration degrees were invented), Karen interned at the New York City Ballet and worked in Public Relations at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

The Move to Philadelphia:

Philadelphia beckoned next: a graduate degree at Temple University, followed by heading LaSalle University’s Nonprofit Center for 15 years. Karen notes, “To put it mildly, North Philly was and still is the total opposite of Saratoga. At the Nonprofit Center, we helped passionate nonprofit leaders with their business skills, impacting an array of causes:  social justice, environmental justice, culture builds community…the whole regional nonprofit community.”    

“In 1995 I drove north on Doe Run Road to pay my first Coatesville visit to LaSalle alumni Lou Beccaria, who directed the Stewart Huston Charitable Trust with offices at Terracina. After driving through the gorgeous preserved open space horse country of the King Ranch, then down the hill into the impoverished row houses of Coatesville, and around the corner to Victorian Terracina… It was a mind-bending combination of my Saratoga horses and Victorian architecture, combined with my Temple University/Diamond Street and LaSalle University North Philadelphia at-risk communities.”  

That was also the first time Karen Simmons met Eugene DiOrio. “There was this energetic man carrying a stack of papers and photos, and he noticed how I was eagerly looking at the Victorian décor of Terracina. He offered to give me a tour.  Little did I know it would take over three hours. That is the day that Gene told me the Rebecca Lukens story for the first time. I was enthralled.”

“Over the years, I kept returning to hear more and more of Gene’s stories. It impressed me that Gene kept digging, discovering new facets of Rebecca’s life to fill in gaps so common in women’s history. Because of Gene’s persistent passion, we know so many more details about how Rebecca grew up accompanying her father in the mill; that she studied science as a Quaker when other non-Quaker girls did not; and that when her husband died, she took over a company that was near bankruptcy, further complicated by the Panic of 1837 and an inheritance dispute. Rebecca accomplished much against the odds; and Gene DiOrio dug deep and long to bring her accomplishments to light.”

As we look to the present and future of Coatesville, Chester County, and our nation, we have many challenges ahead. It is crucial to deal with the economic drivers, the social justice issues, and the trust fissures that run deeply throughout our society, our communities, and our neighborhoods. The times are not easy, and our nation’s path is unclear.  Each of us must discern what we can do, large or small, to lead the way, and to do something, anything…to make our family, neighborhood, community, region…whatever scope we can influence…better.  For good. For all. Forever.

Career and Chester County Community Foundation:

“Karen has directed the work of the Chester County Community Foundation (CCCF) for over 25 years, since 2001. Prior to her present position, Karen worked for 15 years at the LaSalle University Non-Profit Center.  In 1998, she was recognized as one of the non-profit sector’s most influential leaders by the Non-Profit Times.  Karen brought these leadership skills and her expertise to the Chester County Community Foundation and has continually demonstrated leadership throughout Chester County.  Her time and expertise leading the CCCF make Chester County a better place to live and work.

Founded in 1994 in Coatesville, PA, CCCF was at a pivotal point in its organizational growth when Karen became CEO. She led the organization successfully to a maturity of the organization which included transition from a founding Board and staff leadership, and the refinement of the Foundation’s mission, strategic focus, organizational structure, and program definition.

CCCF is one of 900+ community foundations in the United States.  The Foundation holds more than $140 million in assets. These assets are comprised primarily of donor advised funds established at CCCF, primarily in perpetuity, by individuals, families and Chester County based non-profit organizations. Through the generosity of its donors, the Foundation generally awards $6.1+ million in grants and scholarships annually from its 430 charitable and legacy funds.  Karen, through the CCCF and its staff, provides a valuable service which enables people to establish current and endowed legacy funds which make effective grants and scholarships,” cites her nominators.

NISHM Lauds Honoree:

Mr. Scott G. Huston, the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum’s President, applauds this year’s choice for the Rebecca Lukens Award. “Karen Simmons has a special connection to the Coatesville community. Years ago, while the Chester County Community Foundation was in its’ infancy, its office was right here on the NISHM campus at Terracina. CCCF remained there for three years, getting a real taste for the flavor of Coatesville.” James Ziegler, Executive Director, concurs with Mr. Huston, “Karen has been a wonderful asset to Chester County and the region. Through her guidance, countless organizations have received a step-up where previously there may have been none.”

Lead Sponsors:  

Lead sponsors for the Rebecca Lukens Award are the Gunard Berry Carlson Memorial Foundation, PECO, Ms. Ruth Nunn, The Huston Foundation, The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust and Unruh, Turner, Burke & Frees.

Event:

Established by The Graystone Society’s National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum to honor individuals who exhibit the qualities of Rebecca Lukens, the annual award will be awarded to Ms. Simmons in May. A celebratory afternoon event will be held in honor of Ms. Simmons on May 14, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Lukens National Historic District. Kindly contact the museum at 610.384.9282 for ticket information.

The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum:

The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum is located on the campus of the Lukens National Historic District, at 50 S. 1st Avenue in Coatesville, PA. Easily accessible in the heart of Coatesville and adjacent to the River Walk, NISHM is open six days a week for tours, lectures, and educational programs. It draws international crowds to its facility, which educates the public on the people, places, products, and processes of steel making, as well as the importance of educating children in the STEAM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). Visit NISHM at www.steelmuseum.org or visit the campus for their daily tours. NISHM is a science museum in an historic setting.

Contact Info:

NISHM, located in the Lukens National Historic District, 50 South 1st Avenue, Coatesville, PA.

610.384.9282 or SteelMuseum.org

For tour information:

Please contact The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum (NISHM) at 610-384-9282 or visit http://www.steelmuseum.org

For more information on this release:

Contact Melinda Williams at NISHM, 610-518-