At Bancroft, our story has always been shaped by remarkable women. From leaders and clinicians to educators and advocates, women across Bancroft have helped build a culture where people are seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Their leadership has strengthened the organization, while opening doors and expanding opportunities for the individuals and families we support.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating just a few of the women who have dedicated more than 20 years to Bancroft and carried Margaret Bancroft’s mission forward. Through their work, her legacy continues.
Our Founder, Margaret Bancroft
Margaret Bancroft started the Bancroft School in her Haddonfield, NJ home with just one child and a belief that every child deserved to learn, grow, and be supported. That belief helped shape the early foundations of special education in America. At a time when children with intellectual and developmental disabilities were often misunderstood, ignored, or institutionalized, she saw possibility, dignity, and potential.
Guided by her Quaker values and unwavering belief in every child’s worth, she founded one of the nation’s first private schools dedicated to their individualized care in 1883. Her mission was fueled not by wealth or recognition, but by courage, empathy, and an unshakable commitment to inclusion.
Her legacy lives on through Bancroft today, which grew from her humble beginnings into a pioneering organization that supports individuals across their lifespan. Margaret’s revolutionary belief that education should nurture the whole person and honor each child’s unique abilities helped lay the foundation for modern special education and therapeutic support. More than a century later, her spirit endures in the women who have made Bancroft their own life’s work, carrying forward her mission today.
Learn more about Margaret’s story.
Janita Wise, Senior Program Director
For 27 years, Janita Wise has dedicated her career to growing alongside the individuals she supports at Bancroft. Starting as a Direct Support Professional, Janita spent her first 16 years in one Marlton residential program home, where she built deep, lasting family relationships with the individuals she supported. She still visits them regularly to stay connected. “We grew up together,” she says.
Janita’s passion for people was always evident, and she steadily advanced from management to director, ultimately becoming Senior Program Director, overseeing group homes in Burlington County, Pompton Lakes, and Bancroft’s apartment programs.
One of the most meaningful part of Janita’s work has been watching the individuals she has supported grow in independence and confidence, knowing she played a part in their journey. The smiles and excitement that greet her when she walks into a room are moments that she will carry forever.
Janita says the work has shaped her just as much as she has shaped it. The patience, advocacy, and resilience she has developed professionally have strengthened her personally as a wife, mother, and daughter. The skills she learned supporting individuals, especially in medical advocacy and empowerment, have carried over into her own life in powerful ways.
Inspired by Margaret Bancroft’s belief that “the secret to this work is love,” Janita leads with heart and integrity, encouraging her team to challenge themselves and believe in their abilities. She hopes her legacy will be one of growth, perseverance, and compassion, showing that when you lead with love and purpose, the impact can last a lifetime.
“You really do get caught up working at Bancroft because the care that give, you get that back from the individuals. You can feel it in their smiles and the excitement they have when they see you. Who doesn’t want that feeling?”
Janita Wise
More Stories to Come
This Women’s History Month, we’re sharing stories of women whose dedication and leadership help shape Bancroft every day. Check back each week to meet more of them.
