Jean Stapleton’s career was built not only on extraordinary talent, but on deep devotion—to her craft, to her family, and to the theater communities that shaped her life. Long before millions of Americans welcomed her into their living rooms as the beloved Edith Bunker on All in the Family, Jean Stapleton was quietly creating magic on stage, summer after summer, at a small but mighty theater in Pennsylvania: Totem Pole Playhouse.

Born Jeanne Murray on January 19, 1923, Jean Stapleton grew into one of America’s most respected character actresses, earning three Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for her unforgettable television work. Yet despite her later fame, she never lost sight of where storytelling truly begins—live, intimate, and shared between actors and an audience gathered in the same room.

That belief was reflected in her remarkable commitment to Totem Pole Playhouse. Beginning in 1958, Jean returned every summer for an astonishing 25 consecutive seasons, becoming a cherished and familiar presence to generations of theatergoers. She never missed a year. Audiences didn’t simply admire her performances; they felt they knew her. Her warmth, humor, and humanity on stage mirrored the generosity of spirit she brought to everyone she encountered offstage as well.

In the early 1960s, that bond was formally recognized when Jean Stapleton received the Totem Pole Playhouse Favorite Actress Award—a heartfelt honor bestowed by audiences who adored her. The trophy from that award, now being raffled is far more than a piece of theater memorabilia. It is a symbol of gratitude from a community that knew it was witnessing something special: an artist who gave her best, year after year, not for acclaim, but for the sheer love of the theater and a mutual desire to support the community.

That spirit of community continues today. Ray Mimh, an active volunteer and valued member of Prime Time for Women’s Walking to Wellness community, recently donated Jean Stapleton’s Favorite Actress Award to be raffled off in support of Prime Time for Women.  Our entire nonprofit is deeply grateful to Ray for his generous and meaningful gift. Proceeds from the raffle will help Prime Time for Women expand our programs and continue promoting healthy aging at every stage of life. Raffle tickets may be purchased in person every Wednesday at Walking to Wellness or online.

This raffle offers a rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of theatrical history. Jean Stapleton’s Favorite Actress trophy represents a life devoted to performance, a family bound by creativity, and a theater that became a second home. Most of all, it reflects the enduring connection between an actress and the audiences who loved her—not because she was famous, but because she valued and appreciated meaningful connections.