Barbara Cohen, a modern day renaissance woman, was honored with the 10th Annual Rebecca Lukens award on Wednesday, writes Brian McCullough for the Daily Local News.

Cohen, a resident of Valley Forge Mountain for 42 years, was selected by the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum and presenting sponsor Citadel Federal Credit Union for the award which celebrates women who exhibit resilience, leadership, courage, and strategic outlook, attributes that Rebecca Lukens was famous for.

Cohen has been instrumental in the numerous programs that have helped revive Phoenixville after the decline of the steel mills. This has included serving on the board of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association, working as executive director of the Phoenixville Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member for the Phoenixville Area Economic Development Corporation.

“I am very honored and humbled to be the recipient of the Rebecca Lukens Award this year,” said Cohen. “She was an amazing woman, especially given the time frame in which she lived and worked. Her inspirational story gives me the courage and inner strength to continue my quest to make history come alive and be aesthetically appreciated by all.”

Read more about the event at the Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the Rebecca Lukens Award here.