Various names were shared when the Jackson County History Center posed this question on Facebook: Among women connected with Jackson County past or present, who comes to your mind and why?
The responses included Linda Myers, Hazel Gillespie, Marge Klinck, Rexanne Ude, Ann Windley, Terrye Davidson, Donna Sullivan and Mary Eglen.
Myers is a longtime agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Crothersville Junior-Senior High School, Gillespie was a big supporter of the Jackson County Fair, Klinck, Windley and Davidson are former directors of Leadership Jackson County and Ude is the current director, Sullivan continues her coaching legacy in Jackson County and Eglen is a longtime Indiana State Police commercial motor carrier inspector.
March is the appropriate time to ask that question since it’s Women’s History Month, a monthlong celebration of the contributions women have made to the United States and a time to recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields, according to womenshistorymonth.gov.
The history center’s post has since been shared on group and personal Facebook pages, which have generated even more names.
Desiree Steinkamp was among the people who responded with Myers’ name.
“She has transformed what agriculture and service means to students and the community for years,” Steinkamp said. “She has a true servant heart and does a profound job of building up youth to become leaders while being an engaging educator. All in all, she’s a woman who Jackson County can be proud to claim.”
Steinkamp also named Seymour High School Jobs for America’s Graduates Specialist Celeste Bowman, and Jody Deckard agreed about both Myers and Bowman.
“Linda and Celeste always have students first and always have their best interests at heart,” Deckard said.
Steinkamp said their dedication trickles down into the community and will for years to come.
“They plant the seeds for love of community, service and education,” she said. “They truly are bettering tomorrow by bettering students today.”
Myers responded to Steinkamp’s post.
“How sweet of you to say,” Myers said. “Planting seeds this time of year … ask my horticulture class.”
Given Klinck, Windley, Davidson and Ude all have been associated with a leadership program, it’s no surprise they stood out to people.
Joyce Corya said Klinck not only helped start LJC in 1983 and was involved with the Jackson County Fair, but she was her neighbor when she moved to Seymour in 1988.
Kristie Farmer, Bonita Dobbs, Jackie Gibson and Dan Davis all agreed with including Windley on the list. Dobbs also noted Davidson and Ude for their servant hearts. Davidson also was a longtime educator, coach and counselor, and Ude was executive director of both Girls Inc. of Jackson County and the Schneck Foundation.
Krystal Harrell also noted Ude and Sullivan.
“Two wonderful female leaders in this community that did what leaders should do — build more female leaders,” Harrell said.
Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry leaders also received praise. Dobbs named former executive director Deb Bedwell, while Holly Fields noted the awesome work current Executive Director Megan Cherry is doing.
Amy Jackson said with the amount of amazing things they do, Kayla Stice and Pam Kindel deserve to be recognized, too.
Stice runs a State Farm Insurance office in Brownstown and has done a lot for people there and around Jackson County, while Kindel helped bring Blessings in a Backpack and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to the county.
In turn, Stice and Kindel gave praise to Jackson for creating The Sunflower Studio to provide food to local kids and gifts to local nursing homes.
“I deserve no such thing, but thank you,” Jackson replied. “I simply do the right thing and what I would want done unto me and my family.”
Steinkamp also named Elberta Darlage for being “the best school cook to ever exist.” Abby Stuckwisch seconded that, and Greg Walker said his two kids, Kelsey and Nolan, agree.
Darlage remained humble, saying, “I was only doing my job.”
“While you might claim you were doing just a job, I think you were fulfilling a very important purpose. You made all of us students feel loved and special,” Steinkamp replied. “Truly just an amazing and loving individual, all jobs and purpose aside.”
Nancy Nay, who served as the clerk-treasurer for Crothersville for 30-plus years, was named by Alisa Sweazy.
“Always puts others first, helping everyone and great speaker,” Sweazy said.
Sherry Bridges and Danieta Foster both agreed with including Nay.
“The best compliment I ever received was not because of the content but because it came from Nancy Nay,” Foster said.
Shawna Arthur gave praise to Nancy Arrowood, wife of The Tabernacle Pastor Larry Arrowood, saying, “I’ve never met a kinder soul.”
Richard Prather came up with two women: His grandmother, who helped get Little League baseball rolling in Seymour, and his mother, who helped get Ross Ambulance rolling in Seymour.
“Very fine women,” he said.
Pauline McDougal, who was associated with the Girls Club in Seymour for a long time, and Martha McIntire, who played a big role in the Seymour Oktoberfest, also were mentioned.
The list of women who have made an impact in Jackson County could go on and on. Who’s on your list?