Lois Herr was born in Hershey and raised in Elizabethtown. Lois received her degrees from Elizabethtown College and the University of Pennsylvania, then left the state for a 26-year career in telecommunications. Lois succeeded by bringing people together to solve problems, fought for equal opportunity, paved the way to bring women into phone company management in the 1970s, and convinced developers to respect rural heritage. She spent 1974-75 in the White House Office of Management and Budget as a Presidential Interexchange Executive.
Lois moved to Mt. Gretna in 2011. She was elected to the Borough of Mt. Gretna. Lois served several terms as a council member helping to lead communication with constituents and developing ordinances. By writing for the Greater Mt. Gretna Historical Society, she revived stories of county history and helped people understand the background and tradition of local culture. Politically, Lois served as Chair of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, member of the State Committee, and Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. She was a candidate for public office at the municipal, state, and national level, focusing on issues that need addressed, especially those of equal opportunity, the environment, and education. She introduced the Emerge program to the women in Lebanon County.
She served on corporate, civic, and service organization boards, including the local Rotary Club as President, chaired the Lancaster County Planning Commission, led the Dauphin/Lebanon County Boroughs Association, and was on the Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners. Over the years in all her positions, Lois mentored young women and defended their rights and opportunities.
Nominated by Bea Brown