A centenarian praised for a lifetime of leadership in America is being remembered for her tireless dedication to the Girl Scouts organization, the University of Pittsburgh and numerous global endeavors.
Frances Hesselbein, of Easton, died at her residence Sunday, Dec. 11.
She was 107.
The former CEO of Girls Scouts and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Hesselbein left her hometown of Johnstown and spent more than 70 years as a global executive leader in management.
Hesselbein hailed the University of Pittsburgh as her “beloved” Pitt. Her first semester as a Pitt student was during the 1930s at Pitt’s Johnstown campus, which was housed on two floors inside Johnstown High School.
Her college education was interrupted at age 17, when her father died during her first semester and she began to work full-time, squeezing in classes on weekends and evenings.
“It was the most amazingly rich education, and those two floors became magic—an inspiring symbol of excellence and equal access,” Hesselbein said while addressing a Pitt audience in 2010.
Her leadership affiliations at Pitt included the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum and the Frances Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement.
“Frances’ actions and example shaped generations of leaders at a time when smart and sensible governance has never been more critical. And her personal credo — to serve is to live — infused her every step,” Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said. “At the University of Pittsburgh, we are honored to do our part to continue sharing her story and legacy through initiatives like the Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement and the Hesselbein Lecture Series. She was a beloved member of our University community, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family and many loved ones during this difficult time.”
In 2015, Fortune magazine recognized her as one of the world’s 50 greatest leaders.
President George H.W. Bush appointed her to the Presidential Commission on National and on Community Service and President Bill Clinton awarded Hesselbein the highest civilian honor—the Presidential Medal of Freedom—for her leadership accomplishments as CEO of the Girls Scouts from 1976 to 1990. President Joe Biden awarded her the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Hesselbein ascended the Girl Scout ranks, becoming the organization’s first female CEO in 1976.
Reflecting on my time with the @girlscouts
on this #InternationalDayOfTheGirl with love an appreciation for all you do to inspire future leaders! pic.twitter.com/wLqAKe8mD2— Frances Hesselbein (@ToServeIsToLive) October 11, 2022
Former Pitt student Albert Tanjaya referred to Hesselbein as a “living legend.” Tanjaya, of Oakland, Calif., was the youngest participant in the Hesselbein Global Academy. He met Hesselbein and was impressed with her ability to connect with everyone.
“They gave me the leadership philosophy I follow today,” he said. “I carried the idea of ‘to serve is to do’ into student government and my young adult life and professional world,” Tanjaya said.
Happy Monday! Friday was National Girl Scout Day @girlscouts ! As a former Pitt Student at Johnstown and former CEO of the GSUSA I'm honored to share this piece with you. Stay tuned. The future is always bright when we come together!https://t.co/cry4njWjvR pic.twitter.com/rgtBzxDZBU
— Frances Hesselbein (@ToServeIsToLive) March 15, 2021
Hesselbein was the recipient of 22 honorary doctoral degrees and co-edited 35 books. Her global travels took her to 68 countries representing the United States.
She donated the Frances Hesselbein Papers to Pitt and special collections of her work with the Girl Scouts to the university’s archives.
Hesselbein was preceded in death by her husband John Hesselbein, and a son.
