Terri King Speaks

March is National Women’s History Month and the March 2010 Southern Appalachian Woman is Wilma Sherrill.

Wilma’s journey began as a farmer’s daughter.  She learned the value of hard work and integrity.  She became a successful businesswoman and later retired from her position in the  NC State House of Representatives in 2006.

Wilma lost her mother at the age of 15, lost her father to homicide, fought breast cancer twice and WON!

I asked Wilma, “After a lifetime of experiences, what would you say to others coming along behind you in business and civic involvement?”  She said, ” Be true to yourself in all you do and honor your word.  If you tell someone you’ll do something, do it!”

If the world would adhere to these two concepts alone, it would be a better place.   She also believes we are all talented in different ways and each person should seek to recognize that talent, embrace it, and work to develop it.

And one more thing I learned from Wilma as I watched her sparkling blue eyes draw into sharp focus while she made her opinions clear, you can play hardball with the big boys and still flash a classy, beautiful, femine smile.

From farm girl to one of the area’s most influential people, Wilma has blazed a trail that the women in history would be proud of, the women today are benfactors of, and the women of tomorrow may build on.

Her many years of public service are stacked with awards and accolades for her work advocating for women and children.  Google “Wilma Sherrill” for more info on her.

Terri King

Wilma Sherrill and me

Margaret “Nanny” Crowder is our February 2010 Southern Appalachian Woman.

She was raised in Madison County, NC. She was a farmer’s wife, cooked 3 meals a day, made biscuits that didn’t rise, quilted, milked, told great stories, and hummed “Amazing Grace” while she cleaned house, canned, and worked tobacco.

She told me I could do whatever I wanted to if I would trust the Lord and was willing to work.

Like most southern women, her door was always open and she always wanted to feed you something.

She was taken by cancer in August 2003 at the age of 74.

Though I had no blood relationship to her, I called her “Nanny”. She taught me that love was a kinship that transcends a family tree.  I didn’t know it then, but the love I felt for her and from her would be the foundation for my love as an adoptive Mother to my daughter, Jewelian.

Terri King

January’s Southern Appalachian Woman is Velma Beam Moore

I met Velma in Clay County, NC on my first job after college. I was the Agricultural Extension Agent.  Velma was retired from there so we had something in common.  Velma was 94 years old and only 4′11′, but her personality and presence made her a giant. 

There are two nuggets of knowledge that I have carried with me from my experience with Velma. 

The first is a saying she used when she would be disappointed in herself, “I don’t mind being ignorant, but I hate to be stupid.”  Boy have I had lots of opportunity to use that one.

The second was an answer to a question I asked her once.  The question was, “Velma, after 94 years of living, what advice could you give a girl like me who’s just starting out?”  Her answer has helped to guide my life ever since.  She said, “There’s three A’s: Attitude, Accountability, and Adaptability.  Everything depends on your attitude. Have a good one.  You are accountable for your own body.  Treat it well.  Life is about change.  You must be able to adapt to your circumstances.”

Velma died at the age of 95.  It has been my pleasure to allow her legacy to live on by sharing her wisdom with you.

Terri King

Each month this year, we will be honoring the spirit and influence of  southern appalachian women.  We have so much to learn from the women in our lives.

Join me in celebrating these women.  If you have a special person you would like to honor please submit your info and a picture if you have one.

You can send your submission to me at Terri@terriking.org

This is going to be good.

Terri King

The celebration of this day commemorates the beginnings of our nation and gives us a moment of pause for the things in life we have to be thankful.

I am thankful for the opportunity to live my life to the dictates of my heart and to have you all in it.

Terri King