PALMER TWP., Pa. - Tributes are pouring for Frances Hesselbein, a longtime Lehigh Valley resident and former chief executive officer of Girl Scouts USA.
Hesselbein, of Palmer Township, died Sunday at her home at age 107.
A former fill-in troop leader and volunteer, she headed the national Girls Scouts organization for 14 years, from 1976 to 1990. In 1998, she was honored by President Bill Clinton with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
She was a pioneer in advocating diversity and women as leaders for Girl Scouts, said Kim Fraites-Dow, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.
“She set up a lot of training to be a much more inclusive organization,” said Fraites-Dow, who is based in Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County. “She wanted to make sure there was equity in the Girl Scout experience across the country. She wanted to make sure everybody had access to that.”
Fraites-Dow said Hesselbein was blessed with an ability to connect with anyone.
“She was genuinely curious about people and made you feel seen and special. It didn’t matter who you were and why you were meeting,” she said.
“One of things she always said is only the best is good enough for those who serve girls. We were really lucky to have her as our national leader and someone who supported us for so long. She was all about service as a way of life.”
In 2015, when she was 100, Fortune magazine ranked Hesselbein as one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” along with Pope Francis, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Her contributions and impact crossed generations. AARP Chief Executive Officer Jo Ann Jenkins said Hesselbein was an inspiration.
"One of the greatest leaders of our time, she found purpose in that which would allow her to 'be of service at each moment,'" Jenkins tweeted.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Frances Hesselbein, who has been a powerful inspiration to me and so many others. One of the greatest leaders of our time, she found purpose in that which would allow her to "be of service at each moment." I am grateful to have known her. pic.twitter.com/VQivmSJRIw
— Jo Ann Jenkins (@JoAnn_Jenkins) December 12, 2022
Girl Scouts USA paid homage this week on its website.
“We are forever grateful for Ms. Hesselbein’s service to our movement, her community, and her country,” the organization said in a statement. “Through her exemplary life’s work, she served as a source of inspiration and truly embodied what it means to be a Girl Scout.
“While we grieve her loss, we also celebrate and honor her strength, her generosity, and her important place in Girl Scouts history—now and always.”
An advocate for inclusiveness
Under her leadership, the Girl Scouts introduced a new level of scouting—the Daisies, for girls in kindergarten and first grade. Hesselbein is credited with expanding opportunities and inclusion for Girl Scouts, tripling membership for girls of color.
“Her tenure as CEO was marked by transformational innovation,” said Girl Scouts USA. “She recognized that with every new generation of girls came an opportunity to ensure Girl Scouts remained relevant. She embraced a leadership approach reflective of the changing cultural tides―deploying many of the management and marketing techniques that she had spent years studying.”
Hesselbein described her leadership style in a 2011 interview with the Tobias Leadership Center based at Indiana University:
“I would say it’s not about me, it’s about them,” she said. “Mission-focused, values-based, and knowing you can’t just talk about values, you live them. When you live your values it’s amazing how your people respond.”
A native of Johnstown, Cambria County. she had a longtime affiliation with the University of Pittsburgh and received an honorary doctoral degree in 2001.
‘Leadership, ethics and destiny’
In 2009, Pitt established the Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement. When it opened, she said it “is all about leadership, ethics and destiny…our times call for ethical leaders with a moral compass that works full time.”
In 2017, Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs launched the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum, formerly the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute.
Frances Hesselbein, a Pitt visionary and one of the world’s ‘greatest leaders,’ has died. A Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and first woman CEO of the Girl Scouts, Hesselbein left her mark on the University and the world. https://t.co/viiQxl8pTd
— University of Pittsburgh (@PittTweet) December 11, 2022
University Chancellor Patrick Gallagher described Hesselbein as a beloved member of the Pitt community.
“Frances’ actions and example shaped generations of leaders at a time when smart and sensible governance has never been more critical,” Gallagher said on the university website. “And her personal credo — to serve is to live — infused her every step.”
