Women of the Little Cities Up Next: Women’s Registry, Appalachian Spring Programs The second half of Council’s 2010-11 Women of the Little Cities theme will include the celebration of local women at this spring’s Appalachian Spring Festival and the development of a new publication. The theme’s purpose is to identify and share the story of women, living and deceased, who have made an inspiring contribution to the well-being of the citizens of the Little Cities microregion. The theme will serve as the anchor for the 8th Annual Little Cities Appalachian Spring Festival at Eclipse Company Town on May 7. A women’s exhibit in the Company Store will include features on “inspiring women” honored at LCBD Day in October, women’s historical clothing and other artifacts from the lives of women from various time periods.

Also, on tap will be several educational programs in the Company Store and featured women musicians from the festival stage. A lasting outcome from the women’s theme will be an Inspiring Women of the Little Cities Registry which is being developed by the Council. The project grew from the many nominations for the Inspiring Women’s program and the exhibit at Little Cities of Black Diamonds Day in October where six women were honored after being selected by a review panel. The registry will include those honorees, nominees who were not selected, newly nominated individuals and past featured civic leaders Maria Ewing Martin and Bertha Levion. The registry will be published in October of 2011.

The Council is asking for nominations of women who have made a significant contribution here and those who grew up here and made a contribution elsewhere. Examples of attributes include a woman’s dedication to a community, or a particular segment of the community; her individual accomplishments; and her serving as a role model for others. Unsung heroines such as midwives, volunteers, and teachers are welcomed as nominees, as are well-known public figures. It is expected that all submission will be included. Applications are available on-line at www.littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org or from libraries at Glouster, Chauncey, Athens, Logan, Corning, New Straitsville and New Lexington or by contacting the Council at 740-394-3011 to receive a copy by mail. The deadline for returning the application is June 31, 2011.