About the Jane M. Alexander Award

Jane M. Alexander, Esq., was an active member of the York County Bar Association for 65 years and for the first 20 years she was the sole female attorney member. From 1955 until her passing on May 6, 2020, Jane managed a general practice law office and was the Owner and President of J&J Agri Products and Services, Inc., in Dillsburg, PA. 
 
Among her many accomplishments, Attorney Alexander was the mother of four children. In 1955, she was elected and became the first woman member Dillsburg Borough Council and later the first woman President of Borough Councils in PA. From 1965-69, Jane was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Jane was named and served as the Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture from 1972-77. She was the first woman in the United States to hold a Deputy position. She was also the first female member of the PA State Farm Show Commission.

Jane’s civic and charitable activities are too numerous to mention – she focused on eradicating diseases and health planning, nutrition and food safety, and women’s political and social organizations and pro bono legal services for the indigent. She brought her brilliant mind, diligence, political skills - and her love of hats to every endeavor.  In a 2017 interview with Lancaster Farming News, Jane remarked “Never learn to type and always wear a hat. That way, when you walk into a room, they know you’re not the secretary.” 

Those words of wisdom were given to a young Jane Alexander by the first female physician in her hometown of Dillsburg, and until her passing she continued to wear hats on a daily basis, with a collection of over 50 of them. When she travels to a new city, Jane stated her first two questions are, “Where are the best places to eat and where do they sell hats?”
 
In 2001, the York County Bar Association established the Jane M. Alexander Award in recognition in Jane’s accomplishments and to honor an outstanding female resident of York County, or a female who is employed in York County, who has advanced the legal rights of women through example, education, activism, or the legal system. Nominees do not have to be an attorney. Although nominations are sought annually, due to the prestigious nature of this honor, the award is not issued if submissions fail to meet or exceed the criteria. Nominations are reviewed and the winner is selected by members of the YCBA’s Women in Law Committee.
 
After Jane’s passing, the York County Bar Association commissioned York area artist Andi Simpson to create an original work that capture’s Jane spirit and incorporates into the image words that reflect the award criteria. Adjectives describing the contributions and characteristics of Jane and the award recipients are seen here in the shape of a hat which was Jane’s trademark. Framed prints of the original painting, which is gracing the walls of the Bar center, are provided to the recipients.

Jane M. Alexander Award Recipients