11 minute read
Ashley Velez
Inspiring Women
Meet Some of Our County’s Influential Women
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BY ASHLEY VELEZ
Cherokee County isn’t short on fascinating women or the women who inspire them. In honor of Women’s History Month, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a handful of local women, many of whom are born and raised here or have lived here a long time.
Listening and learning from each one left me buoyed, electrified and with a tenable bond of sisterhood. This is a collection of interview-style responses from some of the amazing women who live here. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed listening and learning from them.
Ashley Velez is a digital marketing strategist, freelance writer and company culture advocate. She's a proud resident of Woodstock, where she lives with her family. Retired school nurse, Director of Preschool Programs and wife of retired pastor Carl Moore, Allen Temple AME Church
Dr. Barbara Sable, Director of the Nursing Program at the University of Kansas Nursing Center. I became an instructor for licensed practical nurses there after budget cuts eliminated the school nursing positions where I was previously working. I was married and had two small children. Dr. Sable wanted me to teach the classes I struggled with in college. I wanted the job, but I didn’t feel like I could teach the courses that I’d previously struggled with. She was so encouraging, and said to me, “You can. You’re smart, you’re prepared.” I worked there for three years, and she encouraged me the whole time.
I also thought the world of my sister, Helen. She was 12 years older than me and married to a colonel in the Army. She was very well-traveled, and lived all over the world. She really inspired me in everything she did; the way she dressed, shopped, everything. She taught me how to decorate, entertain, and what to say. In fact, my husband, Carl, got so tired of me talking about my sister that he once said, “I don’t want to hear anything else about what Helen said!”
Life can change at any time, embrace the change. It can get better.
Pray about most things. God knows what’s present and in the future in your life.
Keep exploring and learning, you’re never too old to learn something new. As for me, I’m playing bridge, discovering gardening, and I started a book club!
Love and respect your husband and children, if you want them to do the same.
Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?
When my husband, Carl, and I were still living in East Cobb, (before our move to Woodstock in 1999) there was a member of our church, Lula May Brownlee, who really inspired me. She was on a mission for Allen Temple and for Woodstock! I’ve never met anyone who loved the church or the community more than Ms. Brownlee. She was monumental in helping us grow the church. People would meet her in the grocery store, and then they’d come in on Sunday and say, “We met this little lady in the grocery store, and she told us about the church!” She would have an annual Christmas Tea at her home, and people from the community would come, everyone - the mayor, too - would come. It was kind of a fundraiser for the church. We loved her so much. “There’s no place like Woodstock,” she would say. She was the reason we decided to move to Woodstock, too. Allen Temple was within the city limits, and we decided we wanted to be within the city limits, too. So in 1999, we made Woodstock (and the neighborhood of Deer Run) our home. We’ve been here ever since!
Elizabeth Savage Allen
CEO of Fruitful Female Entrepreneurs
There is a woman from my church who has had many roles and is now part of the Outreach Ministry. At age 16, she said she saw something in me and gave me an opportunity to be part of a church child-care team that earned money. Ever since, she’s been a huge influence on my life. She has continued to invest in me and provide me with opportunities, and has always offered a word of wisdom when I needed it most. She is one of the first people in my life to truly back her words and investment in me with actions, and everyone deserves that.
Don’t fear adulthood − you’re here, so make the most of it! Open a high-yield savings account and start saving now, even just $10 a month. No matter what you study in school to gain expertise, it’s worthless without the ability to tell stories and do it well.
Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?
Leticia Hutchins (of Alma Coffee), of course. Leticia has been not just my boss at Alma, but my friend as well. Courage is a characteristic I think we all must develop over our lives, and she is a great monument to the beautiful things it can do in your life. Leaving a career she had always wanted to take on the amazing challenge of vertically integrating their family farm was a leap of faith and an investment in the community she loves.
Who’s one female leader you admire, and why?
Nicole Walters. I found her on Instagram a few years ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed following her ever since. I started following her for her business content, but I became a real follower as I saw her authentically show up every single day. She is honest about her life, struggles, faith … and she inspires me to show up as 100% me every day, not only on social media for my business, but for my life.
Favorite women to learn from?
Definitely women in music, or female musicians. What I love is how they demonstrate a way to do business that I prefer. When a musician is working on their next album, fans often hear nothing. The musician disappears into long days and long nights, constantly working to create their next masterpiece. For the most part they work in silence, then they release what they’ve created into the world. I’m a big fan of working hard in silence and letting your work be your noise. Realtor, Atlanta Communities of Woodstock
I was raised by strong, compassionate, focused and faithful women. My mother, Jean Jaynes, her mother, Etta, and my father’s mother, Katie, and my sister, Sharon. Additionally, my own adult daughters, Natassia and Jessica, leave an indelible mark on my everyday life as they challenge me, love me unconditionally, and help me grow into who they have needed me to be as their mom. These women have a profound and direct impact on who I am today and the values I hold dear. What piece of advice would you offer young women who are just graduating from school?
Be coachable. Find a mentor who has the achievements you want to have at 10, 15 and 20 years. Focus on who God made you to be, and give that ALL you have. Those gifts will serve you and the world in the biggest way when the purpose is your passion. Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?
There are so many amazing women in our community, and the one who comes to my mind is Lori Baker, Director of Next Step Ministries. She makes a huge impact in our community with her mission to enlighten the community about the underserved, moderately to severely disabled adults. She inspires me with her faith, focus, endurance, and perseverance to the calling God placed on her life. Who’s one female leader you admire, and why?
Brené Brown because she has humbly taken on difficult topics - such as shame - and difficult issues of social equity and diversity, and trains leaders to think differently about the people who they lead and the cultures they create in the work environment. Favorite women to learn from?
Mary Oliver, poet; Ann Voskamp, speaker, writer; Pauli Murray, women’s rights activist, Episcopal priest; Rosalind Franklin, scientist, unsung heroine; Dr. Mae Jemison, astronaut; Mother Teresa, missionary; Tiare Smith, artist ... and so many more who may remain nameless, but who will forever change us.
Inspiring Women Continued from Page 23
Merry Quarles
Lifelong Cherokee resident, General Manager of FoxTale Book Shoppe, event planner, mother, wife, advocate
The women who I saw being encouragers when I was younger have always been the ones I gravitated to and wanted to emulate. Women who use what they have to promote and to nurture each other are what inspire me to do the same.
Listen to your inner voice. The one that says, ‘This job looks great on paper, but …’ You know more than you give yourself credit for!
Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?
Shawn McLeod. She’s been an encourager to me personally in my career, but she is that to a lot of people. Shawn genuinely cares about our community, and doesn’t care if her work behind the scenes goes unnoticed. Watching her work as a founding member of Elm Street Cultural Arts Village has always inspired me!
Who’s one female leader you admire, and why?
Dolly Parton is my SHEro. It may sound cliché, but I aspire to be as kind, forgiving and generous as she is.
Favorite women to learn from?
Brené Brown is my current favorite. Especially in the last 12 months! When other women are brave enough to share their scars, I feel brave enough to share mine. She reminds me that we really are in this thing called life together, and are so much better when we are the light for one another.
Frankie Shepherd
Native of Cherokee County, and recently retired from the Cherokee County Board of Elections and Voter Registration
My Mom was a wonderful lady. She was a terminal cancer patient, and passed away at 58, which was young. She was instrumental in helping me get my education at Tuskegee. Because even those days, it was expensive, and my Mom worked very hard at a dry cleaners for 30 years to help get me through school. (My Dad worked at Lockheed Martin and also worked hard for my education.) I offer a scholarship in my mother’s name to one deserving student every year. It’s not official and it’s not much, but I choose a student who attends my church, Hickory Log Baptist Church, every year and donate to their education.
My home economics teacher, Ms. Willie B. Bennings, was another inspiring woman for me. She helped me gather my paperwork to apply to college. There were no school counselors at that time. I truly owe her a lot. She would send me cakes and cookies while I was away at Tuskegee.
I’ve had more inspiring women in my life, too, including my grandmothers, and some of the ladies in my community. They all looked out for us, and our parents expected them to reprimand us if we acted out.
Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?
Margaret Cline, who was the superintendent of Cherokee County Schools for many years.
Who’s one female leader you admire, and why?
Michelle Obama. She is wonderful, and she inspired me with her service to children, especially her commitment to the meal program to assist children with getting healthy meals and plenty of exercise. I loved seeing her invite children to the White House to learn more. She really was wonderful when she was there. I also very much admire Coretta Scott King.
Favorite women to learn from?
At one time, I wanted to be an actress. Cicely Tyson, may she rest in peace, was an inspiration to me. When I came back to Georgia after graduating from college, I was in a theater group, and we did some acting and traveling around the state. However, other than some amateur productions, it never materialized.
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