FROM THE EDITOR
Making HERstory
Spring is here and I couldn ’ t be more excited . That ’ s because the month of March — also recognized as Women ’ s History Month — heralds in springtime , a season of new life , which to me is a perfect time to highlight the many women who helped birth , shape and mold us as who we are today .
In late March 2022 , while working on the last spring edition for Duncan Magazine , The Banner staff attended Duncan Chamber of Commerce ’ s annual award banquet , where the idea for this magazine struck me after an emotional Woman of the Year introduction speech .
That night , I watched as Emily Callahan surprised her mother , Patty Wininger , not only with her presence , but also with a crowning achievement when it comes to honors in Duncan : the Woman of the Year Award .
Callahan presented that award to her mother on the last day of Women ’ s History Month . She did this only after she ended her speech by calling for all those who have been influenced by Nurse Patty and her words to stand up . One by one , many inside the Simmons Center room stood in honor and recognition of Duncan ’ s Woman of the Year for 2019 .
My eyes grew wet . In that moment , I was happy for Patty , and I thought of the Woman of the Year in my own personal life — my sister , Brandy . And that ’ s when I knew it was time to shine the spotlight on some of the greatest in Stephens County : the women who paved our way and those who have taken up the torch to continue to do so .
We knew immediately the project would be overwhelming . I had a minimum of 100 ideas in my head immediately for each woman I personally have met in Stephens County over the last several years , and that was before my staff even got to pitch their own ideas .
I thought , and the names rattled off in the meeting easily . Names like Bonnie Talley , Joan Brock , Haylee Root , Leah Mulkey , Dr . Martha Burger , Darcy Reeves , Helen Stewart , Debbie Duggar , Tami Taylor , Jennifer Hinsley , Shirley King , Carolyn Rodgers , Cortnie Siess , Leigh McEntire , Lesa Hefner , Susan McNair , Teri Billings , Nicole Punneo , Lisha Elroy , Susan Camp , Laura Kochendorfer , Laura Golding , Shasta Smith , Patty Wininger , Lindsay Hayes , Kim Meek , Emily Callahan , Dr . Channa Byerly , Billie Strutton , Destiny Ahlfenger , Sandy Stewart , Kristen Arrington , Crystal Childers , Loisdawn Jones , Sen . Jessica Garvin , Gina Flesher , Allie Buckholts , Barb Nelson and many , many , many others .
We had ideas about featuring the women of Duncan Little Theatre , dance studios , women in the medical field , women in law enforcement , the plethora of women artists Stephens County has . We thought of women athletes , nonprofit leaders , educators , policy makers , pastors and volunteers .
We thought of everything . Pages and pages of lists of ideas .
Lo and behold , the Woman of the Year emailed me herself the week before the publication went to press . She , too , was on my wave length and had thought about many amazing women who could be featured during Women ’ s History Month .
She put something else into perspective for me though . I was thinking of every woman I could possibly think of in Duncan , but what she stunned me with was the amount of women owned businesses within Stephens County .
Her list of establishments included the Palace Theatre , The Lindley House , Eclectic Echo , Prairie Rose , Distinctive Décor , Ginger Jar , The Book Store , R & S # 1 Bakery and Lunch Counter , Sumac Trading Post , Jeanne Kay Designs , Three French Hens , Branded Apparel , Varai Clinic , Special Days Bakery , Wildflower at Heart , Shasta Smith Legacy Insurance Group , Duncan Floral , Viridian Coffee … and those are just the ones in the Main Street District !
We can think of many others , like Delaine Parker Insurance Agency , Yvonne DeCarlo Insurance Agency , Duncan Pet Resort , Payne Jewelry , a numerous amount of salons , QTe ’ a Boba , Native Naja , Simply Unique , Jitters , Crimson Cake Company , a lot of businesses in the Duncan Tower and DMP , to include .
Looking back on that list , and any of the other lists we ’ ve had when it came to this project , I feel like we barely scratched the surface when it comes to the many amazing women in Stephens County .
The truth is , we could tell well over 1,000 stories of the astounding women and breathtaking things women have accomplished right here in our backyard .
Because that amount of work is just not physically possible , we opted to instead focus on a few topics that give us a look back , and a look forward , on all the great things we have in our area because of the strong women we know .
I hope you enjoy reading about the women who made a name for us . I hope you learn something new about Main Street Executive Director Billie Strutton and her journey . I hope you fight like a girl after you get into the mindset of a lady wrestler . I hope you learn what it means to have compassion when you step into what the Love You Well foundation has to offer . I hope you see the heart three women educators have when it comes to molding young minds by making free books possible for kids . I hope you see the message , that women can be the change .
And most of all , I hope you see just how much the stellar women of Stephens County have accomplished since our founding .
I was astonished , and I know you will be too .
CHARLENE BELEW