Femme Forward – Lancaster, PA

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” – Author Unknown

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The quote above perfectly captures the mindset of Tiffany Shirley, her incredible willingness to give back to her community – on and off the clock is a testament to the kind of impact one person can have on the community they live in. She splits her time between multiple jobs, which include being a front desk specialist at the Milton Hershey School and a Dental Assisting Instructor within the Lancaster Spanish American Civic Association (SACA). Additionally, she is the Board President of the Lancaster Pride non-profit. She works incredibly hard to make the organization run behind the scenes, with projects ranging from the annual Pride Festival to organizing a bus trip to Broadway for the local community.

You would assume that someone in such a crucial role supporting their community and as the President of a highly successful and influential organization would be raking in substantial pay, right? Well, not in Tiffany’s case. She holds a volunteer position, just like all the other board members, which means she doesn’t receive any payment for her work with Lancaster Pride. Yet, you wouldn’t believe the level of dedication and effort Tiffany invests in her community through the organization and in her daily life.

Tiffany embodies resilience and strength, all while maintaining a caring and inspiring presence. From serving in the Navy, beating cancer, and even receiving threats on her life before a Pride event, Tiffany always has a lot on her plate but handles difficulties with grace. When asked if there was anything about her or Pride that she would want the community to know, she reiterated that her work within the Pride organization is something very important to her, and her only goal is to create safe spaces through all aspects of her life for everyone to be themselves.

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Lancaster Pride has created a survey which aims to collect important feedback on this year’s festival, this is vital to help Tiffany and her team make the coming events even better. There is always room for more volunteers for events like the festival and ExtraGive, or you can volunteer to be a part of one of the organizations committees. For more information on any of these topics, see their website (www.lancpride.com) or find them on Instagram.

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As a member of this community and someone who admires the work done by Tiffany and her team, I can’t turn a blind eye to the events that transpired earlier this year surrounding Drag Queen Story Hour. The decision made on July 3rd to not pursue charges in connection to these threats, and to halt further investigation, is a disgrace and a disservice to the community. This does not send a positive message to LGBTQIA+ community members, or anyone who has any regard for the safety of others. Members of law enforcement and local government may not directly see the effect of their inaction on terroristic events such as this, but the shockwaves are still being felt across the area.

Perhaps local bigots and commissioners Josh Parsons and Ray D’Agostino should take a moment to reflect on how their hateful public statements have caused harm to the very community they should be safeguarding. It’s time for them, as well as other local elected officials, to realize the damage they are inflicting and to start addressing LGBTQIA+ issues with the respect and empathy they deserve; or find a new career.

Remember to vote, volunteer if you are able, support your local library, and shine a light on the people who make all members of our community a priority – like Tiffany Shirley.