Saint Vincent RPCV Elizabeth Maneval co-founded Women's Expressions Magazine
Elizabeth Maneval call tell you all about the world of women
Feb 8, 2004
Sunday News Lancaster, PA
by Jon Rutter
The Dalai Lama had breakfasted that morning in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Elizabeth Maneval sat down in his still-warm chair.
She learned that the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet had just eaten a bowl of Cap'n Crunch cereal. The waitress gave her the rest of the box for a keepsake.
Maneval loves that brand of serendipity.
In fact, it's just the sort of stuff that enlightens WE Magazine, the homegrown monthly she co-founded with Donna Angelillo in July 2002.
Maneval recently became publisher after Angelillo left to pursue other opportunities.
WE, which is subtitled "it's all about women," offers an eclectic perspective on business, health, food, humor and other topics.
"A lot of men within the business community pick up the magazine on a regular basis and read it," said Maneval, who is gratified by the attention.
But WE, which is based in a refurbished carriage house on North Arch Street, aims squarely at southcentral Pennsylvania women 30 and over.
"Over 70 percent of new businesses (here) are started by women," said Maneval, who started WE with the help of the Community First Fund.
"Women have a lot of power and love to read magazines. It was a good niche to fill."
Background: Though born and raised in York County, Maneval has Lancaster County roots that go back to her father's grandparents, who started Mount Joy.
She graduated in 1975 from York College of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in humanities and fine arts.
She worked previously for the Historical Society of York County; the Pennsylvania Dutch Council, Boy Scouts of America; Landis Valley Museum; and the University of Pennsylvania.
As the former cultural events coordinator for the City of York, she launched the River Walk juried art show, which became a model for such programs.
About WE: It's a rich mix of thoughtful and current stories, information, tips and trends. It's advertising-supported, but we do have a small subscription base. We like to highlight women from all backgrounds. Everybody has a great story to tell.
A cause I support: The Peace Corps. I volunteered from 1977 to 1979 on St. Vincent in the Grenadines, helping to market and develop a native craft industry.
Family: Husband, Charles H. Maneval, Lancaster city director of economic and community development, and children, Charles, 15, and Natalie, 13.
My first job: Picking tomatoes. My mom and dad had a farm, and they grew tomatoes for Campbell's Soup.
One thing my parents always told me: Always think of others, and be as honest as you possibly can.
My unfulfilled ambition: To get to Alaska and see the last frontier before it disappears. My professional goal is to see the magazine grow.
One thing I've learned: To start the day with a smile.
My role model: My mother, sculptor Janet E. Brown. She started a business at the age of 76 and is still going strong. It doesn't matter what age you are. Just stay passionate about what you're doing.
My favorite kinds of music: Classical. I do love the Rolling Stones. I like Norah Jones.
One thing that can always be found in my refrigerator: Cheese. I eat lots of cheese. When I was in college, I took a trip to Europe for about nine months. We lived primarily on cheese and bread and seltzer water. Our budget was $10 a day.
Two things I always try to avoid: Confrontations and aggressive drivers.
Lancaster County's greatest asset: The availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.
My pet peeve about Lancaster County: The growth. The lack of concern for open spaces.
When I really want to relax: I garden, canoe, bicycle and hike. We hiked up Mount Washington last summer. The summer before we hiked 24 miles in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park (and) saw grizzly bears.
For a great vacation try: The Southwest. If you can't go southwest, the best vacation outside Lancaster County is North Wildwood, N.J. My mom lives in the oldest home in Wildwood. It has been in our family since 1875.
Good books I've read: "The Da Vinci Code," the detective series by Alexander McCall Smith. It's about a woman who's a detective in Botswana. "The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living," by the Dalai Lama. ... I belong to a mother/daughter book club. So we read a lot of books based primarily on a young reader's level.
Three words to describe me: Gregarious, thoughtful and curious.
