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Alvernia University Women's Council names Suzanne Cody 2026 Bernardine Legacy Award recipient

Berks & Schuylkill servant leader to be honored at the annual luncheon on June 10 at the Doubletree by Hilton Reading

by Sarah Matarella

Reading, PA (05/04/2026) — Alvernia University's Women's Council will recognize Suzanne Cody as the recipient of the 2026 Bernardine Legacy Award for her exceptional leadership, professional achievement, and steadfast commitment to advancing women and strengthening the community.

Established to honor the legacy of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, the Bernardine Legacy Award recognizes an Alvernia alumna or friend of the university whose life reflects a deep commitment to Franciscan values through service, leadership, and community impact. Suzanne Cody exemplifies these ideals through her accomplished career, civic engagement, and dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for others.

Alvernia University's Women's Council will recognize Suzanne Cody as the recipient of the 2026 Bernardine Legacy Award, for her exceptional leadership, professional achievement, and steadfast commitment to advancing women and strengthening the community.

Established to honor the legacy of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, the Bernardine Legacy Award recognizes an Alvernia alumna or friend of the university whose life reflects a deep commitment to Franciscan values through service, leadership, and community impact. Suzanne Cody exemplifies these ideals through her accomplished career, civic engagement, and dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for others.

"Suzanne Cody is the embodiment of what the Bernardine Legacy Award represents," said Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Meggan Kerber '06, MBA '01. "She is an inspiring leader whose professional success is matched by her generosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to lifting others."

Cody is widely recognized for launching the grassroots Help a Girl Out initiative, which combats period poverty by collecting and distributing essential hygiene products to women and girls throughout Berks and Schuylkill Counties. Through this effort, she has helped restore dignity, address unmet needs, and raise awareness around an often-overlooked issue. Her service earned her the West Reading-Wyomissing Rotary Club's prestigious People of Action Award - Paul Harris Fellow, honoring individuals who exemplify "Service Above Self."

An advocate for community vitality and historic preservation, Cody also serves as Board Secretary of the Foundation for the Reading Pagoda, served as a Board Member of the Reading Theater Project, and as an appointee to the City of Reading Historical Architectural Review Board. Her volunteer leadership reflects a deep commitment to preserving the region's cultural assets, supporting nonprofit organizations, and helping communities thrive.

"I am humbled to be named this year's Bernardine Legacy Award honoree," said Cody. "True advocacy is about more than just speaking up; it's about taking action to remove the barriers that hold women back. My work with 'Help A Girl Out' is fueled by a passion for equity and a belief that when we lift women up, we strengthen the entire community. I look forward to celebrating this mission with Alvernia this June."

Cody will be honored at the 2026 Bernardine Legacy Award Luncheon on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. Tickets are available for purchase through May 28. For more information and registration, click here. Proceeds from the Bernardine Legacy Award Luncheon benefit the Charlotte Newcombe Scholarship Fund, which supports adult women pursuing their undergraduate degrees at Alvernia University.

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