The first ever JCPenney store was known by a different name: The Golden Rule Store. Founded in 1902 in the small town of Kemmerer, Wyoming, James Cash Penney set himself and his store apart by adopting the motto of the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
Now known as JCPenney, the company honors this legacy by serving the communities where families shop and dedicated associates live – all while proudly embodying its founding principle of the Golden Rule. This commitment to positive change has remained at the core of the company’s culture for more than 120 years.
On August 22, JCPenney celebrated its fourth annual Golden Rule Day to commemorate its long-standing partnership with the City of Kemmerer, the continued support of the Honor, Confidence, Service, Cooperation (H.C.S.C.) alumni club, and its commitment to the legacy of Mr. James Cash Penney.
Surrounded by special guests including Sarah Hale, field representative for U.S. Senator Cynthia M. Lummis, Kemmerer Mayor Bill Thek, Diamondville Mayor Mark Langley, members of the Kemmerer and Diamondville City Councils, Lincoln County Commissioners and Steve Strom, President of the JCPenney National H.C.S.C. Alumni Club, JCPenney’s Head of Government Affairs, Angela Marshall Hofmann, presented a $10,000 donation from the JCPenney Communities Foundation to the JCPenney Homestead for their continued support of the historical site in Kemmerer.
“Volunteerism and community involvement are an integral part of our company culture to this day,” Hofmann said during her remarks. “Last year, we reintroduced our brand proposition, called Make It Count, and one of its core tenants is our commitment to the Golden Rule. I am so happy to be here today to honor Mr. Penney’s impact as we continue his legacy of doing for others what we would want for ourselves.”
The event also included a historical tour of Mr. Penney’s heritage sites, a book signing by author and University of Wyoming professor David Kruger for his work, “J.C. Penney: The Man, The Store, and American Agriculture,” an H.C.S.C. alumni club reception and the dedication of a new plaque wall at the statue of Mr. James Cash Penney. For the second year in a row, two deserving citizens of the Kemmerer/Lincoln County community were honored with the Golden Rule Award.
About Golden Rule Day
In 2021, the City of Kemmerer, Wyoming, held its first-ever Golden Rule Day to commemorate the official unveiling of the JCPenney statue downtown in Triangle Park. This turned into a tradition of honoring JCPenney’s long standing partnership with the City of Kemmerer.
About the HCSC Alumni Club
The Honor, Confidence, Service, Cooperation (HCSC) alumni club was first established by twelve retired JCPenney managers and executives in 1932. The club was founded to keep partnership alive into retirement. Since then, the club has opened to all former associates.
About the HCSC Foundation
Established in 1960 by James Cash Penney, the Honor, Confidence, Service, Cooperation (HCSC) foundation was created to support Penney’s associates who fell on hard times. To date, it has distributed over 5 million dollars to associates in need.
