Developer cited for her pioneering work

A Coatesville developer who has focused on affordable housing will be the recipient of the Sixth Annual Rebecca Lukens Award.
Established by The Graystone Society to honor individuals who exhibit the qualities of Rebecca Lukens, the annual award will be presented to Tammy C. Cansler on March 22, Lukens' 218th birthday.

Lukens was a pioneering female industrialist who took over the rolling mill that became Lukens Steel after her husband's death in the early 1800s and turned it into a business that dominated life in Coatesville over two centuries.

The Graystone Society based Cansler's selection on her history in Coatesville, which began when she moved from South Carolina, where she worked as a teacher, so her husband, Dale Cansler, could accept a job at Lukens Steel. Ready for a career shift, Tammy Cansler worked at Merck Pharmaceuticals in West Point, where she was trained as an industrial engineer and became the first female production supervisor in the company's history.
By the mid-80s, Cansler was ready for another change, starting Cansler Investment Group, which began by creating affordable apartments in Coatesville and expanded to larger projects, such as the Brandywine Health Center, which offers myriad health-related options to a previously underserved population.

Frances Sheehan, the center's president and CEO, said Cansler was instrumental in "developing the concept of a health and housing center, pulling together a top notch design and construction team, securing all the properties needed to create the building site, marketing the project to elected officials and funders, and communicating effectively with foundation staff and board members whose involvement and approval was needed to move forward." Sheehan added: "She knows her business and cares about Coatesville - perfect reasons to honor her with this year's Rebecca Lukens' Award."

Cansler said she believes personal tragedies — losing both her husband and her son to protracted illnesses - have increased her empathy for others, particularly the seniors residing in communities she has created. "We have Philabundance deliver directly to our building, as well as Entenmann's (bakery) and others who wish to donate foods," said Cansler, who has two daughters and a bevy of grandchildren. "During the summer months, local farmers bring whatever excess produce they may have, be it tomatoes, watermelon or squash. We even have a relationship with Freedom Village Senior Living Community, which they orchestrated, which helps our seniors. Gently used clothing from their residents is sold to our residents for a very nominal fee. Freedom Village then takes that money, and donates it to our residents to use for outings or entertainment for the group."

Graystone's executive director, James D. Ziegler, applauded Cansler's selection. "She has literally changed the landscape here in Coatesville during the 21st century, just like her predecessor did during the 18th century," he said. The award will be presented to Cansler at a reception in the Lukens Executive Office Building, 50 S. First Ave., in Coatesville on March 22, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 and reservations are required. For more information, contact The Graystone Society at 610-384-9282 or graystone@lukensnhd.org.

The Graystone Society, created in 1984 to help preserve the city's historic architecture, also assists with municipal improvement and economic development through preservation. The Graystone Society is named for the Graystone Mansion, part of the Lukens National Historic District, which is the future home of the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum.