Before National Women's Month gets away, I wanted to remind readers of a distinguished person who broke a few glass ceilings and lived just down the road a bit, 

Kathryn Gottshalk (1881-1956), was the first woman elected to the position of magistrate in Pennsylvania in 1926. She ran unopposed for the office for more than 30 years.

and in Montgomery County. 

            She was a standard bearer in the local women's suffrage activities and a model of integrity for a local magistrate.

           The distinguished person I am talking about is Kathryn Gottshalk. 

            Born in Gwynedd, Montgomery County, she was a niece of Pa. Gov. John Fisher, and a great niece of General Winfield Scott Hancock.  She was educated at the Perkiomen School, where she met her future husband, Frank.  After completing her education, she became an educator at the Sumneytown Academy.  Kathryn and her family lived in a beautiful, spacious home on the Perkiomenville Road, just a stone's throw from the Perkiomenville Hotel. 

            After her husband's death, she decided to enter the political arena.  But first, she needed to fight for the right to vote.  She was an early advocate of women's rights.  She served as the president and secretary of the Lansdale Suffrage Association.  The group would later

Gottshalk was a student at Perkiomen School, where she met her future husband, Frank. After completing her education, she became an educator at the Sumneytown Academy.

be known as the Lansdale League of Women's Voters.  It was only a matter of time until she became the head of the Democratic Women's County Organization.  With her family tree touching Hancock and Fisher, her Democratic ties were based on deep roots. 

            Gottschalk went on to serve in a variety of roles.  She was elected Director of the Poor in 1935 and served on Gov. George Earle's advisory board.  Gov. James named her a trustee of the Norristown State Hospital.  Kathryn was elected as an alternate delegate to the Democratic Convention in Chicago. 

            Kathryn Gottshalk had one distinction that was hers and hers alone.  The Perkiomen School alumnae and Perkiomenville resident was elected to the position of magistrate in 1926, the first woman in Pennsylvania's history to achieve that position. 

Supporters of women's sufferage rally in October of 1915 with the "Woman's Liberty Bell," also known as the "Justice Bell," mounted on the bed of a truck, stop in Pennsburg during its 67-country trip throughout the Commonwealth. Gottshalk, an early advocate of women's rights, served as president and secretary of the Lansdale Suffrage Association. The group would later be known as the Lansdale League of Women's Voters.

The degree of trust bestowed upon her by her friends and neighbors elevated her to a level of high esteem seldom achieved by those in local office.  For over 30 years, she ran unopposed for the office.

            A fitting tribute to a remarkable person.