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Western Hats • Clothing Boots and More! 704-600-6038 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 42ND Year • Issue No. 16 • April 17, 2025
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Cleveland County Commission for Women: Empowering women since the ‘70s By MICHAEL E. POWELL Although March, which is normally recognized as Women’s History Month, has come and gone, the many, many deeds of women in and throughout history cannot, and must not, be overlooked or trivialized. For those reasons, the Cleveland County Commission For Women (CCCFW) recently celebrated to remember the month, and to let all know they have been in existence since the ‘70s. Said member Betsy Wells, every county in the Tarheel State has a Women’s Commission. She also noted Cleveland County’s branch
CCleveland Countyy County Commision For Women W is the second oldest branch in the state. Wells continued...the Cleveland County’s Women’s Commission was established originally “…to promote women who enhance the lives of all citizens of Cleveland County in one area or another.” CCCFW furthers the role of women in the county and the state, along with calling attention to the roles of
CCCW members Betsy Wells and Debra Blanton.
professional women. They do this through speaking engagements highlighting women’s history, various conferences at local schools, churches, colleges and similar venues and places, spotlighting women’s issues and their continuing importance for today and into the future. Members of the CCCFW have taken part in sponsoring women’s legislative agendas, hosting workshops, and reaching out to and honoring women in the healthcare field and other pertinent occupations. Ms. Wells also noted that beginning in 2025 their group began honoring Cleveland County women age 90 and over by having 12 volunteers giving out specially wrapped cookies to 18 nursing homes and assisted care facilities in the county. Wells noted that Shirley Lail, a founding and original member, in 1978, asked the county commissioners to establish the council. The council had a name change in the ‘80s. From those times until now, CCCFW members have worked tirelessly to establish abuse prevention for women who have been victims of domestic violence, opening a house for those victims (Daybreak House), founding a women’s resource center as a place providing information for women throughout Cleveland County; establishing a Distinguished Women’s Award, with 10 women being selected for that honor the first year of its creation; hosting a Distinguished Women’s Banquet, and adding a Facebook page, as well
The 2024 Miss Cleveland County Fair winner Belle Westbrook is pictured with CCCFW members Betsy Wells (left) and Mary Accor. (Photo provided)
as many other outstanding tasks in order to help the women of Cleveland County. The group also sponsors the Miss Cleveland County Fair Pageant. In 2022, Wells noted the county decided to help the Commission for Women become an independent county group with the county commissioners committing to continue financial support for the Distinguished Women’s Banquet. As a group, Wells said they are now independent, with their own 501c3 status, new bylaws, and they meet on the fourth Tuesday
of each month. 2025-2026 Commission officers are listed as Betsy Wells (President); Diane Davis (Vice-President); Tanzy Wallace (Secretary); and Debra Blanton as Treasurer. Members are: Mary Accor, Linda Martin, Robert Miller, founding member Shirley Lail, Christine Cribb, Joyce Coleman, and Valerie Boyd. For more information on the group, email Wells at betsyccfw@gmail.com, or check out their Facebook page.
JIM HORN TRIBUTE GAME ~ FREE ADMISSION
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Tuesday, April 29•6PM Keeter Stadium Gates open at 4:00pm
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