Celebrating HisHerstory:
The PBCC Honors Women of Impact throughout Women’s History Month
Pat Halpin-Murphy
“I knew I had been spared for a reason.”
Those words, spoken by PA Breast Cancer Coalition President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy, formed the foundation of what is now the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, a statewide nonprofit and powerful force in the fight against breast cancer. This Women’s History Month, we are reminded of the progress and impact of women in Pennsylvania who take action and advocate for others, working toward the Coalition’s ultimate goal of “finding a cure for breast cancer now… so our daughters don’t have to.”
Pat, a stage III breast cancer survivor, founded the Coalition in 1993 at a time when many women did not talk about their diagnoses. Fast forward 30+ years later, the PBCC reaches millions of Pennsylvanians with its programs, services and advocacy efforts. Recognized by the White House as a 2014 Champion of Change, Pat’s dedication to improving the lives of women has led to dramatic legislative changes in Pennsylvania, including mammograms for uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 49, the extension of Medicaid coverage to uninsured women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, the Breast Density Notification Act of 2013 and Act 1 of 2023 for no-cost breast MRI, ultrasound and genetic testing.
First Lady Lori Shapiro
“A single person can have a tremendous impact… all you have to do is something.”
First Lady of Pennsylvania Lori Shapiro is the current Honorary Chair of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. The First Lady works tirelessly to support our efforts, volunteering to fill free Friends Like Me care packages, promoting better care and advocating to expand affordable treatment for women in communities all across our Commonwealth.
We are honored to have Mrs. Shapiro serve in this role as she carries out our mission, serving Pennsylvania families touched by breast cancer.
Michele Ridge
As First Lady of Pennsylvania from 1995-2001, Michele Ridge served as Honorary Chair and played a pivotal role in shaping the PA Breast Cancer Coalition into what it is today.
Mrs. Ridge advocated for many legislative victories including Pennsylvania’s Reconstructive Surgery Act of 1997, which required insurers to cover the cost of breast cancer surgery reconstruction, including costs of an overnight stay in the hospital. During her time as Honorary Chair, Mrs. Ridge provided a voice for families facing breast cancer across the state.
Mrs. Ridge remains committed to our cause by serving as a current PBCC Board Member. She is also a past president of the Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania.
Robin Shine-Maddox
“In surviving, you’re going to know your purpose in life. You’re going to stand on this platform to empower and to offer hope to so many people, especially women.’”
Robin is a fearless leader and motivator in the fight against breast cancer in the Philadelphia area. Since being diagnosed at age 55, Robin, who also serves as Constituent Activity Liaison for State Senator Vincent Hughes, has been a voice of strength and survivorship within her community. In addition to her public work to raise breast cancer awareness, promote early detection practices and help other women find the resources they need, Robin’s message to survivors is one of solidarity, hope and faith.
PBCC Board Member Robin Shine-Maddox is the Founder of opens in a new windowCelebrating Sisterhood and visionary of the She Shines Conference, which is dedicated to empowering, inspiring, and offering hope to women. As a breast cancer survivor, Robin works to spread awareness through legislative advocacy and educational outreach and is a previous PBCC Pink Ribbon Awardee.
PA Senator Kim Ward
As the first female Majority Leader and now President Pro Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, Senator Ward continues to blaze the trail for women serving in public office. Her own breast cancer survivorship story inspired opens in a new windowAct 1 of 2023, a comprehensive breast cancer screening and testing law for Pennsylvanians with increased risk factors for breast and hereditary cancers who have state-regulated insurance. Under Act 1, which received unanimous bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, insurers are required to cover breast MRI, breast ultrasound, BRCA-related genetic testing and genetic counseling for individuals with high-risk factors who are insured under PA law.
In addition to her work on Act 1, Senator Ward partners with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition on its “Mammo May” and “Don’t Miss Your Mammogram” initiatives aimed at encouraging Pennsylvania women to explore their breast cancer screening options and learn the importance of early detection.
Honi Gruenberg
“I see all of the things that we’ve been able to do and all of the legislation that we’ve gotten done, and the people that I’ve seen year after year at the conferences, and we are doing it for them.”
Always going above and beyond, breast cancer survivor Honi Gruenberg serves as the PBCC Board’s County Captain Chair. Honi is a passionate advocate for our grassroots efforts, coordinating events such as the annual Pink Light Walk, volunteering for the Coalition’s Drive Out Breast Cancer campaign, and serving as an advocate for PA Senate Bill 595, now Act 52 of 2020, which required insurance coverage for breast MRI and ultrasound for women at increased risk of developing breast cancer. In 2020, Honi was honored with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Pink Ribbon Award.
Honi has worked tirelessly to effect change for the women of Pennsylvania – all with the future of her daughter and granddaughters in mind.
Madelyn Rodriguez
A cause near to her heart, Madelyn Rodriguez supports the mission of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition in many ways: as a Grassroots Partner, Board Member and advocate. Most recently, Rodriguez hosted the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s photo exhibit on the campus of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania-Bloomsburg, where she works as Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Madelyn is also a longtime Grassroots Partner, organizing the Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg 5K Walk/Run and opens in a new windowFriends Like Me Donation Drives in memory of her mother, who passed away from breast cancer.
Madelyn’s passion and community outreach efforts earned her the 2016 PBCC Shining Light Award.
Kristin Eckert, PhD
“No path to a career in cancer research is straight. I wanted to encourage the students to get out there and try something and see where that might lead them.”
Dr. Kristin Eckert has focused much of her career on education and mentorship, teaching future generations about the importance of cancer research and oncology. As a researcher and professor at Penn State College of Medicine, she facilitated the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Advocacy, and Research Education for Students) program, offering high school students a glimpse into the lives of healthcare professionals. Dr. Eckert also invites the PBCC each year to a “Cancer in Real Life” dinner experience, partnering local survivors with medical students in the opens in a new windowPROMISE program to better understand patient-doctor relationships.
Dr. Eckert also served as a presenter on the Coalition’s Ask the Experts webinar series, sharing her own personal journey with genetic testing.
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is surrounded by true #WomenofImpact every day. To see more Women’s History Month spotlights, follow the PBCC on social media:
opens in a new window@PABreastCancer
opens in a new window@PABreastCancer
