Longtime local journalist and community advocate Peg DeGrassa was honored Wednesday, Oct. 9, by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce as the 2024 Athena Award recipient.

An enthusiastic crowd of supporters that included community leaders, family, coworkers, and friends gathered to recognize DeGrassa’s extensive contributions to local journalism and the Delaware County community.

Chamber President Trish McFarland opened the 37th annual Athena Award event, highlighting the Award’s emphasis on qualities like wisdom, courage, and community service.

She noted that the award embodies traits seen in Greek mythology’s Athena, which are values DeGrassa has consistently demonstrated.

“This award honors leaders who not only achieve professional excellence but also give back, particularly by supporting other women,” McFarland said, praising DeGrassa’s impact in Delaware County.

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor presented a resolution in DeGrassa’s honor, commending her 45-year career and ongoing commitment to local journalism.

She emphasized how DeGrassa’s work has “enriched our community by highlighting its unique voices and capturing the essence of Delco.”

DeGrassa was also honored with a resolution by the Pennsylvania Senate.

DeGrassa, who has spent much of her lifetime covering local news and writing uplifting human interest stories, shared some of the stories and experiences that stood out the most in her career.

She’s interviewed the likes of Joe Piscopo, the Jersey Girls and Marie Osmond. She covered the arrival of filmmakers and stars for “Silver Linings Playbook” when they showed up on her street, and contributed recordings of her Delaware County voice to help Kate Winslet nail the accent in “Mare of Easttown.“

DeGrassa also played a reporter in a commercial with Jason Kelce that aired during the Super Bowl, then covered a second story with Kelce after he donated a K9 to the Haverford police.

Her journalism journey began while bedridden and recovering from surgery at age 13 when she decided to start a family newspaper. That project gave her a passion for storytelling and led her to the high school newspaper at Archbishop Prendergast, then to the college newspaper.

Her professional career began with the The Beach Haven Times on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, covering the music scene at the Jersey Shore.

“I got to do lots of interviews with some famous people and I just got hooked, and I’ve been writing ever since.”

A lifelong resident of Delaware County, DeGrassa has worked in the news business for over 45 years.

For the past 25 years, she’s worked at Town Talk Newspapers, working her way up from reporter to columnist, associate editor, and to editor of Town Talk, Springfield Press, Garnet Valley Press, County Press, News of Delaware County, and later as editor of the merged News and Press of Delaware County.

For the past 10 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 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.

DeGrassa’s work has been recognized with numerous awards from the Philadelphia Press Association and the Keystone Media Awards.

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.”

DeGrassa emphasized the importance of the family business in Delaware County, noting that her father and her husband both owned businesses.

“I come from a lot of businesses, so I know the struggles and the triumphs that go with owning a business,” she said.

It’s why she got involved early on in the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. “I’m a big promoter of business,” she said. “It’s the backbone of any community and definitely the backbone of Delaware County.”

In accepting the award, DeGrassa reflected on her career’s impact and the importance of local journalism. She expressed gratitude for the community’s trust and support, saying, “It’s a privilege to tell your stories. Trust is the cornerstone of my work, and I am incredibly honored to have earned it.”

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce emphasized its commitment to supporting leaders like DeGrassa who inspire and make meaningful contributions to the community.