In With the New
Introducing the Junior League of Lancaster’s first African American leader
Lancaster County’s Junior League not only celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, but also welcomes its first African American president, Noelle Fassnacht into office. The Junior League of Lancaster is “exclusively educational and charitable” in their mission to promote volunteerism, develop women’s potential, improve community through effective action and improve leadership of the trained volunteers. Noelle says “it is truly an honor to be president of an organization which empowers women and gives back to the community” and is “very proud to be the first African American president” of the League. Her campaign, too, was full of “nothing but support from [her] fellow members and those in the community.” When looking for a volunteer organization, she saw her friend, Sally Welk, former Junior League of Lancaster president, promoting Toy Lending Library on WGAL. She was drawn to the organization that “empowers women and gives back to the community”, and has been a member since 2005. Now as president, she serves as chief executive officer of the League, acts as the overseer of the operation, achievement and morale of the League, and serves as chairwoman of their board of directors. Holding a love for volunteering, and for community involvement herself, she sits on the board of directors at the Lancaster Day Care Center, and is a member of “Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church” in Ephrata. Noelle is a 1991 Millersville graduate with a degree in Economics, and works as a global sourcing project coordinator at Woodstream Corporation. She and her husband live in Denver, PA, with their two daughters Caitlin and Victoria. In addition to being passionate about her volunteer work, she loves traveling, gardening, exercising and reading. “I hope my experience as president will allow me to help develop the leadership potential of other women to serve in improving the Lancaster Community.”
