A Tamaqua woman with a long history of community service has earned a top state award.

Jean Ann Towle was named Pennsylvania's Business and Professional Women's Woman of the Year 2015.The formal presentation took place in June at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Johnstown, where Diane L. Lewis BPW/PA president, led the statewide contingent in honoring Towle during the 95th Annual BPW Convention.Others attending from Towle's Tamaqua BPW Chapter were Lucinda Sabol, Judy Kellner and Mary Bridygham.Towle has served as treasurer and past president of the group.Towle is the daughter of the late Royal and M. Jean Towle and is a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School's Class of 1973.She has been a driving force on the reunion committee for the class, the largest group of students in the history of the Tamaqua public school system.She is a graduate of Kutztown State College and Clarion University and served as district consultant for the Pottsville Free Public Library for 30 years.She is a member of the Pennsylvania Library Association and is an advocate for libraries' ever-evolving role as a vital resource during constantly changing technology.Towle is president of the Xi Delta Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and chairwoman of the annual Tamaqua Area Spirit of Christmas Festival, an offshoot of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.Towle also is a 59-year member of the Tamaqua American Legion Auxiliary.She also is treasurer and fundraising chairwoman of the Pennsylvania BPW Foundation and served as BPW/PA's Convention manual editor for 2014-2015.Towle also is archivist of what is believed to be the largest collection of Lakewood Musical Playhouse memorabilia.