Chamber gives leadership award to Delco journalist Peg DeGrassa

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. – Longtime Delaware County journalist Peg DeGrassa will accept the Athena Leadership Award at the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon on Oct. 9 at the Llanerch Country Club on West Chester Pike in Havertown, Pa.

Peg DeGrassa, Delaware County journalist

DeGrassa is the editor of Town Talk Newspapers and The News and Press of Delaware County, and a reporter for The Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times. A lifelong resident of Delaware County, DeGrassa has worked in the news business for over 45 years.

“Peg’s unparalleled dedication to journalism and her unwavering commitment to our community exemplify the spirit of leadership and excellence that this award represents,” said Trish McFarland, president of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. “Her tireless efforts to highlight local stories and support the diverse voices of Delaware County have made an indelible impact. Her legacy of empowering others and championing local causes truly sets a remarkable standard for us all.”

DeGrassa began her professional career at The Beach Haven Times on Long Beach Island, N.J., covering the music scene at the Jersey Shore. Back home in Delaware County, she began covering municipal meetings and writing feature stories for The News of Delaware County.

For the past 25 years, she worked at Town Talk Newspapers, beginning as reporter, columnist, and associate editor and eventually moving up to the position of editor of Town Talk Newspapers, Springfield Press, Garnet Valley Press, County Press, and News of Delaware County.

As the newspaper industry evolved, The Press Papers partnered with the News of Delaware County to become The News and Press of Delaware County, where DeGrassa remained editor, as well as at Town Talk. For the past ten years, DeGrassa has also been a reporter and feature writer for The Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times, as well as contributor to other news publications in the Philadelphia Cluster of the MediaNews Group.

She caught the journalism bug as a child, when she wrote and published a monthly newspaper and mailed it out to her large extended family of relatives for several years, before becoming editor of both her high school and college newspapers.

DeGrassa caught the journalism bug as a child, when she wrote a monthly newspaper and mailed it out to her relatives.

As a reporter and writer, DeGrassa continues to put the spotlight on countless local businesses, organizations, schools and other institutions, as well as interesting people and events in Delaware County and beyond, and keeps readers informed about what’s happening in the local community. With her pulse on the latest trends and her ears attuned to the latest scoops, DeGrassa has built a base of trusted sources and relationships with the people of Delaware County.

“I love everything about Delco—its wide variety of people, its unique and interesting places and diverse towns, its thriving business landscape, its sense of community, and its vibrant personality, “DeGrassa shares. “I have always been Delco’s biggest cheerleader!”

DeGrassa is past president of the Delaware County Press Club, where she continues to serve as president emeritus on the Press Club’s Board. She is also an affiliated member of the National Press Club, a member of the Pennsylvania Newspapers Association, The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.

She has been the recipient of numerous Press Awards from the Philadelphia Press Association and Keystone Media Awards from The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association and The Pennsylvania News Media Association for Excellence in feature writing, headline writing, community service, news feature story, column writing, personality profile, business or consumer story, and lifestyle/entertainment.

She has also received the Delaware County Women’s Commission 2023 Woman of Achievement Award, The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum’s Distinguished Service Award, The Arc of Delaware County’s Community Service Award, Celebrity Boxing’s Community Champion Belt Award, District 7 VFW’s Community Service Award, The Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco’s Person of The Year Award, and the VFW Dept. Of PA 7th District’s 2023 Advocate of The Year Award.

The Athena Leadership Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment. It is presented to a woman or man who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. IAH

To register for the 2024 Leadership Luncheon, visit www.delcochamber.org/athena