Partners in Equity Celebration, Every Ability Shines

Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania’s (ESWCPA) Partner in Equity Award (PIE) Award recognizes the transformational work of individuals and organizations in the disability community.  Each year, ESWCPA will recognize a person or organization that has excelled in demonstrating that people with disabilities can be their authentic selves and flourish in all areas of life.  We applaud their hard work and dedication in support of the Easterseals’ mission as we work towards a shared goal of leading the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, families, and communities. The Partners in Equity Award is Easterseals Western and Central PA’s opportunity to recognize the people and organizations that make up our disability community. 

The Celebration Includes:

• The Presentation of the Easterseals Partner in Equity Award
• Entertainment, Drinks, and Appetizers
• Mission Moments
• Networking Opportunities
• And more...

The 2026 Partner in Equity Celebration will be themed “Every Ability Shines” and will honor Mary Harley of the Arc of Greater Pittsburgh. The event will be held Thursday, November 19, 2026 at the Joinery, Pittsburgh.  From 6:00 to 9:30 PM (VIP Party begins at 5:30 PM).

Interested in sponsoring? Check out our Sponsor Packet.

About this year's awardee - Mary Hartley

Mary Anderson Hartley is a parent advocate and disability systems-change leader who for nearly two decades, has brought advocates and organizations together to address broken policies and practices through advocacy, legislation, and innovative programs that expand inclusion. She began as a parent volunteer with the Pittsburgh Local Task Force on the Right to Education and launched her professional career in 2007 with Achieva’s Disability Healthcare Initiative, a stakeholder effort focused on improving access to health care. Before returning to Achieva as President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, Mary served as Executive Director of the PEAL (Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership) Center. Through the United Way of Allegheny County’s 21 and Able Initiative, she helped bridge the gap between youth and adult service systems, supporting more successful transitions to adulthood through employment, housing, and supportive services. She also directed #IWantToWork, a self-advocacy social media campaign that advanced employment and financial freedom through three successive legislative efforts. Mary served as Project Director for the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium. Governor Tom Wolf appointed her to the Employment First Oversight Commission, where she served as its inaugural Chair. She has also served on the Board of Disability Rights Pennsylvania and is a past Chair of UPMC’s Disability Resource Council. Mary is the 2023 recipient of the Richard Meritzer City-County Task Force on Disabilities/ReelAbilities Award and received Achieva’s Excellence in Advocacy Award in 2018. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Bob, and has two adult children, Jack and Grace.