Pauline Montgomery from Hughesville recently received an honorary degree from Wilkes University.

Pauline R. Montgomery was invited to speak at the Wilkes University’s Pharmacy Professional Hooding Ceremony, Friday, May 17. Her speech started with the famous quote from Forrest Gump, “Life is a like box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” The underlying tone of her speech was making the most of what you are given. Her message stated to become involved and stay active in your profession, community, and family and you never will be disappointed with the results. Montgomery’s exemplary life is proof of that statement.

On Saturday, May 18, Wilkes University awarded an honorary doctorate degree to Pauline R. Montgomery, pharmacist, community activist and owner of Montgomery’s Pharmacy in Hughesville and Montgomery, PA. She was the first woman to serve on town council and also the first and only woman to be Mayor of Hughesville. This was a position she held for 20 years. She also served as a Lycoming County Commissioner.?Montgomery was one of only six women in a class of over 100 students studying pharmacy at Temple University in 1946. She began pharmacy practice in her hometown of Hughesville in 1959 and has been practicing ever since. Montgomery served on the Board of Pharmacy of the Commonwealth for thirteen years and currently serves as the State Board of Pharmacy’s Officer for Probable Cause Screening Committee.

Montgomery was the first woman president of the Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association and the first woman from Pennsylvania to be awarded the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award. She has also been named as one of Pennsylvania’s 50 Top Business Women.

Along with all her other activities, Montgomery takes pride in her 34 years of service on the Hughesville Area Public Library Board. She also served on the Lycoming County System Library Board where she was involved in the construction of two new local libraries.

Along with her husband Geo, the couple donated a building in 2006 to house the East Lycoming Historical Society.?