Pat Vance – Nurse, Politician, State Senator

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1936, Pat attended William Penn High School and graduated from the Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing in 1957.  Afterwards she worked as a pediatric surgical nurse at the Harrisburg Hospital and then later held a position as Charge Nurse in a long-term care facility. Her early interest in health care influenced the areas she chose to serve during her political career.

As the first female elected state official in Cumberland County, Pat served as Recorder of Deeds from 1978 to 1990. From 1991 to 2004, she was the Pennsylvania House Representative from the 87^th district and by 2005, Pat H. Vance served as Pennsylvania State Senator from until 2016.

In 1996, Pat spearheaded passing the Domestic Violence legislation (Act 24).  Prior to the passing of this legislation, more than one hundred Pennsylvania insurance companies legally refused health, life, and disability insurance to women who had been victims of domestic abuse. While in the Senate, Pat chaired the Public Health and Welfare Committee and was a member of the Appropriations, Communications and Technology, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Finance and Policy, and Capital Preservation committees.

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