Civic & Public Service

“One of my favorite passages of scripture is, ‘in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ –Matthew 25:40.”

– U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren

Sam serves and has served on national boards of directors and executive leadership positions for the oldest organizations working to elect and financially support women from both sides of the aisle when they run for elected office at all levels.

• Founding Board Member, National Womens Political Caucus 2016 – present
• CEO/ President Women’s Campaign Fund and She Should Run 2009 – 2015

Sam has been at the leading edge of solving neighborhood blight and historic preservation for over 30 years on a local, regional, and state wide basis.

• Owner Restoration of The Historic Benner Mansion 1999 – present
• Owner Innkeeper The Historic Benner Mansion Bed & Breakfast 2008 – present
• Co-Founder West Park Historic District when member of West Park Civic Association Ward of Directors 1998-1999
• Founder, CEO, Board Officer Properties of Merit 1984 – present
• Co-Founder, Board Officer William Allen Construction Company 1999 – present
• Board of Directors Allentown Housing Association and Development Corporation (HADC) 2002 – 2009

Sam a life long active member in the religious choral traditions of the churches she has been blessed to be a member of.

• Choir and Church Member, Mediator Episocpal Church Allentown, 2005 – present
• Choir and Church Member, Soloist, First Presbyterian Church Allentown 1998 – 2005

Sam has been a national spearhead of the initiatives that honor the critical role that women have played in the civil rights movement and honoring the little known intersect of the civil rights and women’s movements.

• Co-Founder, Board Officer The Freedom Memorial formerly Martin and Coretta Scott King Memorial Project 2006 – Present
• Founding Co-Chair, Stories That Shaped A Nation 2015, 2016

Sam has been a long standing community leader in initiatives celebrating first Scandinavian heritage.

• St. Lucia Fest Leader Muhlenberg College 1990 – present

Sam has been honored to be recruited to serve on a wide variety of arts and communications non – profit board of directors.

• Founding Board Member William Allen Academy of the Arts 2001 – 2005
• Board Member WDIY Public Radio  2007 – 2008
• Board of Directors Mayfair Festival of the Arts 2000 – 2002

Sam has been honored to follow in the foot steps of her grandfather O.W. “Bud” Bennett who was Mayor of Piscataway, NJ and the longest serving National CEO of Cub scouting in scouting history.

• Troop Leader Girl Scout Daisy and Brownie Troop 1990 – 1995
• National Girl Scout Team commemorating the Tri-centennial of Marquette and Jolliet Mississippi Trip 1973
• Board of Directors Greater Lehigh Valley Girl Scout Council 2006 – 2008

Sam has worked hard to honor the passion for politics that has come from both sides of her family. Her paternal grandfathers life long involvement in the republican party culminating in his being appointed Mayor of Piscataway, NJ by the Democratic City Council and her Democratic committee women’s mothers life long passion for progressive politics.

• Candidate for U.S. Congress 2008 (PA-15) 2007 – 2008
• Candidate for Mayor of Allentown 2001 & 2005
• Chair Allentown City Democratic Committee 2005 – 2009
• Lehigh Valley Regional Field Director America Coming Together 2004
• First Vice-Chair; Chair GOTV Committee Lehigh County Democratic Committee 2003 – 2009

For over 3 decades Sam has been a passionate advocate for the Allentown School District and its students. As Sam likes to say, “so goes the school district so goes the city”.

• PTO President, Muhlenberg Elementary School, ASD 1989-1991
• Co-Founder, Board Officer William Allen Construction Company 1999 – present
• Founder, Chair Good Neighbors 1998 – 2001

Coming from a military family, Sam has been an active participant and mentor in Collegiate and high school programs.

• Mentor William Allen High school NJROTC 1998- present
• Clarkston University ROTC Ranger 1977