Women’s History Month provides the privilege of honoring the countless contributions that American women have made throughout history. The theme this year is, “Women – Inspiring Hope and Possibility.”

Many women – from all walks of life – have made an impact on business and society throughout the years, and CommuniTech is honoring women as it celebrates the very reason it exists. Pam Selker Rak founded CommuniTech in 1996 and has led the company as president.

Rak didn’t do this alone, though. She had plenty of help from generations past. And so it’s only fitting that she pursued an idea to develop an exhibit that takes an inspirational look at the business achievements her grandmother made against seemingly insurmountable odds.

At a Museum Near You!
An exhibit entitled, The Ground She Walked On: An Immigrant’s Entrepreneurial Journey From Tragedy To Triumph, chronicles the true-life story of Antonia Chirico (Anna Cherico Phillips), an Italian immigrant who, as a young child in 1908 witnessed the murder of her father, and how his dying words sent her on an incredible journey of struggle and entrepreneurial triumph from Sicily to America.

Rak drew her own entrepreneurial inspiration from her grandmother and mother (who was also a woman entrepreneur from the 1970s until she retired in 1995). “When people hear my grandmother’s story and see her journey come to life in this exhibit, I believe they will be awestruck,” said Rak. “Many immigrants came to the U.S. in pursuit of the ‘American Dream;’ but my grandmother was thrust into it through amazing circumstances. I’m thrilled her experience is being shared because it’s a true inspiration.”

The Ground She Walked On exhibit is launching in two phases: On March 29th, a pre-exhibit will be on display for four weeks at the Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s Rena M. Carlson Library. Then, on May 1st, the full exhibit will launch in conjunction with a grand opening event and reception at the Sutton-Ditz House Museum, located on Grant Street in Clarion. Pam Selker Rak will conduct a public presentation at the opening event, and will also debut a multimedia production of her grandmother’s journey.

The Sutton-Ditz House Museum, a national historical landmark, is operated by the Clarion County Historical Society, which is dedicated to discovering, collecting, and preserving materials pertaining to the history of Clarion County, and to encourage the study and appreciation of that history.

“It’s gratifying – and even rare – to come across stories and artifacts such as this one,” said Lindsley Dunn, Curator-Director of the Clarion County Historical Society. “This is a story filled with deep history, emotion, and fascinating elements of human struggle and triumph. While it has strong ties to Clarion County, its appeal will extend far beyond Pennsylvania.”

Both the pre-exhibit and exhibit were designed and constructed by students at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh under the direction of Bill Farrell, industrial design instructor. The lead students on the project are Christina Price, a senior at the Art Institute, who will graduate in Summer 2004 with a Bachelors degree in industrial design, and Allison Barth, who is using the exhibit project as her thesis study. Barth will graduate in Spring 2004 with a Bachelors degree in industrial design.

All members of the public are encouraged to attend The Ground She Walked On exhibit. For more information on exhibit dates and times, contact the Clarion County Historical Society at 814.226.4450 or CommuniTech at 412.221.4550.