Back to governor page

Frances Wolf

About


Frances Donnelly Wolf became the first lady of Pennsylvania when her husband, Governor Tom Wolf, was sworn in as governor on January 20, 2015.

The daughter of a U.S. diplomat, Mrs. Wolf was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised abroad in Iran, Germany, France, Pakistan and England. She is an accomplished oil painter and her artwork is shown in galleries and museum exhibitions throughout Pennsylvania.

The first lady has been active in her home community of York County, focusing on issues of urban redevelopment and education.  She has volunteered extensively in the public schools that her daughters attended, including organizing and heading a young authors’ workshop for elementary school students. She has held leadership positions on the boards of the York County Community Foundation; the York County Planning Commission; York’s Martin Memorial Library; Atkins House, a halfway house for female offenders; the York Jewish Community Center, the Women’s Giving Circle of York; and Franklin & Marshall College.

Mrs. Wolf earned a bachelor’s degree in south Asian history from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, England. She also holds a second bachelor’s degree in studio art and art history from Franklin & Marshall College and a master’s degree in art history from Bryn Mawr College.

The Wolfs live in the governor’s home town of Mt. Wolf in York County and have two grown daughters, Sarah and Kate, and a son-in-law, Jamie.

Full Pennsylvania Website Biography