ATHENS — Hearing of women with “true grit,” more than 100 girls from Athens City and Limestone County high schools received some pearls of wisdom as well at the Grit & Grace:
Breaking Barriers & Leading Boldly program.
Scheduled in conjunction with Athens State’s inauguration festivities for President Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, the event consisted of a powerhouse panel of women with impressive careers and inspiring stories, led by “Women of True Grit” author and keynote speaker Edie Hand.
The panel included Dr. Shelia Nash-Stevenson, NASA Langley Research Center; Marsha Folsom, former Alabama First Lady; Julie Mobley, Cullman Internal Medicine; and Jan Matthews, founder of MTM Unsung Heroes, Unity in Community, and other local nonprofits.
Pammie Jimmar, Athens-Limestone Chamber President, closed the event with a Q&A session.
The panelists shared stories of perseverance through difficulties in both their personal
and professional lives. They each identified with a “Pearl of Hope” that embodies a
certain aspect of life: passion, self-esteem, courage, leadership.
“It was an honor to welcome such an inspiring group of women and students to our campus,” Wehlburg said. “Events like Grit & Grace show us that no matter our background or challenges, we all have the potential to lead boldly and lift others along the way.
“That’s what true grit and grace are all about.”
(Left to right) Dr. Shelia Nash-Stevenson, Marsha Folsom, Edie Hand, Julie Mobley and Jan Matthews. (Billy Brown photo)
Hand described the origins of the pearls, meaning of Women of True Grit, and the importance of passing stories of triumph throughout generations.
“I use the metaphor of a pearl formed inside an oyster shell through irritations from a
speck of grit to form these different colors of pearls,” she said. “In life, we go through irritations that teach us tools of how to get from hard to beautiful situations.
“GRIT – Great Resilience is Transformative.”
Jimmar said she was grateful to bring the Women of True Grit franchise to the Athens-Limestone County community.
“It is difficult at a young age, or any age really, to see a world of possibilities ahead, but no immediate way forward,” she said. “We all need someone to root for us and reinforce our spirit of hope and endurance … hopefully some young ladies left today embracing that.”
The Women of True Grit series is a collection of over 60 stories, interviews, and on-air
segments about successful women who have overcome extraordinary obstacles.
For informatioin about the Women of True Grit franchise, visit https://ediehand.com/women-of-true-grit.
The event was presented by the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce
Foundation, Athens State University, and the Women of True Grit franchise.
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