Mary Sachs Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mary Sachs was called a “Merchant Princess” by U. S. Sen. Edward Martin in 1958, and Eleanor Roosevelt described her in 1960 as “a very remarkable woman.” She came to the United States from Lithuania as a 4-year-old. After losing her job in a Harrisburg dress shop for being honest with a customer, she decided to open her own business. Long on ingenuity and short on cash, she opened her doors on September 6, 1918 and focused on personal service and style. She was quickly successful. Surviving a disastrous fire in 1931, she reopened as soon as possible at 208 N. Third Street and became the premier ladies’ fashion store in Harrisburg. Viewing herself as a collector of philanthropy, she said in a 1960 interview, “I am a collector of helping. It makes me feel more alive.” Mary Sachs died in 1960 at age 72. From Mary O. Bradley, The Patriot-News October 11, 2005