News : 150 women honored in Vinton's Celebration

A reception was held to honor the 150 women chosen to represent Vinton during our Sesquicentennial celebration this week. 

With the option to bring a guest, the Ray House was filled with ladies in attendance for the reception.

Many of the ladies were not used to having such a big deal made out of their accomplishment, while a few might have been more comfortable with the limelight, but all, were enjoying themselves.

Of course, I have a few pictures from the day...click to view (and hit subscribe please, it would help Vinton Today!)

Ann Harrison summed up the project this way: 

"This idea came from listening to a Western Illinois College history professor speak about the importance of recognizing all parts of our heritage. (Their community has just celebrated 200 years.). Ideas for our sesquicentennial were being discussed and while talking with others it was easy to think of current and historical individuals that were due recognition. Soon a small group of interested folks met with Vinton Unlimited Director, Melissa Schwan. By the end of that meeting, we decided we were going to focus on current and historical women. The decision to focus on women was a result of scanning a few past history books. There were very few women mentioned! So the committee was moving toward recognizing current and historical women that may have been “special” in any variety of ways. The influence may have been family as well as the community. Almost anywhere the first name to be mentioned was Esther Williams—over 60 years at the Cedar Valley Times."

Simple forms were developed for anyone to submit names that they felt were deserving of recognition. To encourage interest and participation group programs were given, articles were written and conversations sparked many names as memories were stirred. One name helped everyone think of another.

Before too long there were over 150 names submitted. Each name had an interesting impact on our community—some about their family; some on business and some even more broadly in our state. Some individuals had very special skills they shared giving and caring to many others."

The women were all named in a large jigsaw puzzle that was on display at Cameron's downtown. The ladies in charge of the project included:Nancy Beckman, Roxann Ervin, Ashley Hesson, Martha Long, Connie Ogier, Roxie Higgins, Therese Foth, Ann Harrison, and Melissa Schwan.