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Honoring women's contributions in McDonough County

Courtesy of the Macomb Feminist Network
The 2020 Writing Women into History honorees were (left to right): Patricia Jones, Sue Scott, Janine Cavicchia, and Lois Lueck.

The Macomb Feminist Network is seeking nominations for its Writing Women into History Award.

“(We’ve) recognized people since 2010.  Every year 3-4 women have been recognized except in 2021 (due to the pandemic),” said Ruth Kelly, who’s a member of the not-for-profit organization.

Fellow member Janice Welsch added, “The contributions they have done for the city and the county are innumerable. It’s just quite amazing.”

Welsch said, for example, the group has honored women who’ve served in local government, and others who have been involved with business, conservation, the arts, and more. She said they have also honored women involved with starting the public health department and the hospice program.

Kelly said the nomination form can be found on the Macomb Feminist Network’s website. She said the final day to submit a nomination for the next round of honorees is December 4, 2021.

“If you have the name of a woman that you think deserves this award, go ahead and nominate her. I did that a few years ago before I became active in the organization and that person received the award,” Kelly said.

She said the next awards ceremony will be held in early March, 2022.

Welsch is also encouraging people to submit nominations.

“We only know so many people. There are a lot of people that we could overlook because we don’t know them. If no one else nominates them, they get lost. We don’t want them to get lost,” Welsch said.

She said the Macomb Feminist Network was formed about 20 years ago. She said the group strives to educate the community about women’s achievements and contributions, and it encourages women to become involved in the community through volunteerism and by running for public office.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.