Page 22 - 2020-Women and Teens of the Year Program Booklet

W OMAN OF THE YEAR

ROND A SENIOR

The first time Ronda Senior volunteered, it was as a
14-year-old hospital Candy Striper—pushing snack carts
or patient wheelchairs—in East Moline, Illinois, where
she grew up. She worked after school and on weekends
because, even then, she thought helping others was mak-
ing a difference.
Senior has maintained her passion for doing good,
and devotes much time to volunteering for various type
of events at ArtsQuest, including Musikfest; Zoellner Arts
Center; Celtic Classic Festival; Star of Bethlehem Festival
for Kids; Sun Inn of Historic Bethlehem ; Berks Jazz Fest;
Reading Blues Festival; and the Tim Tebow Foundation’s
Night to Shine.
But her attention is also drawn to animals, for Senior also volunteered at the Center for
Animal Health & Welfare where she cleaned kennels and coordinated volunteers. She’s also
fostered puppies, and is active in fundraising for animal organizations and animal rights.
Senior’s also got a lengthy resume of volunteer jobs she did while living in New
Jersey: Girl Scout leader; Newton Junior Athletic League Cheerleading program
director; room mother and library assistant at Green Hills School.
And, somewhere, in the midst of her volunteering, she developed a love for needle-
work, sewing, and other crafts, as well as reading both fiction and non-fiction, especially
local history.
It’s a wonder that Senior had time to be part of the corporate world, too. She retired
from Toys R Us as corporate director of guest services, and also worked at JC Penney,
Brooks Fashion, and other retailers as store director, and district and regional manager.
Senior traces her passion for volunteering to her hardworking, compassionate, and
exuberant parents. “I believe they are the reason I am who I am,” she states simply.
“My mother…quit high school because she didn’t have nice clothes to wear…and
the other students made fun of her…I believe that is why she taught my siblings and
myself to accept people for who they are and find value in everyone…I think [my
father’s] zest for life is one of the reasons I love to be active and around people as I am
when I volunteer…If what I do now shows who they were and are, then I have fulfilled
my purpose.”
She and her husband Kent live in Bethlehem with three rescue dogs, Bunny, Sophie
and Peanut. They have a daughter, Carrie, who is their greatest achievement.