This past Sunday, March 8th, was International Women's Day - a day dedicated to celebrating #EachforEqual in an effort to forge a gender equal world, celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality.
And, while Union County is small as compared to the world entire, the Union County Library's Genealogy & Local History Librarian, Gypsy Houston, helped me compile a list of some local women who've done great things and "names-to-know."
The most notable on this list, for me, is Christine Mann Darden. Some of you may have seen the movie "Hidden Figures" a few years back? Well, Christine Mann Darden was one of the brilliant "hidden figures" on which this movie was based. Born in Monroe, NC, Christine Mann was a genius who later went on to work for NASA as a mathematician and analyst. Darden started in the "computer pool", performing calculations as a computer for engineers. She began automating the process by writing computer programs. Darden worked at NASA for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2007.
While at NASA, Darden authored more than 57 technical papers and articles, primarily in the areas of sonic boom prediction, sonic boom minimization, and supersonic wing design. Her awards include two NASA Medals, the Black Engineer of the Year Outstanding Achievement in Government Award, and the Women in Science & Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.
Some of the other notable women that Gypsy Houston shared with me are listed below - in no particular order!
- Mary Simmon Covington was the first female lawyer in Monroe, NC
- Nancy Davis was the first female mayor of Monroe, NC
- Christine Mann Darden was a mathematician and know to be a "human computer" and educator.... and one of NASA's "hidden figures"
- Clara Laney was the first female ROD
- Blonnie Livingston was an African-American female barber - possibly the first, but influential nonethless
- Kathryn Shute Pearson was the first female photographer on a practice raid
- Fern Shubert was the first female House delegate from Union County
- Bea Colson was the first African-American female principal under consolidation
- Lydia Myers was a pioneer of women-owned businesses in Monroe
- Hopie Dawson Perry was a retired school teacher and Girl Scout leader who donated one of the largest monetary gifts to the UCPL of her time
- Pat Kahle was the President of the Union County Chamber of Commerce
- Kathey May was the first female in NC to be licensed to run a livestock barn
- Sandra Abda was the first female physician of Monroe, NC
- Rosa Allen was the first African-American to be elected to a local town council in the county
- Margaret Plyler was the only female from Union County to dress like a man so she could fight in the Civil War
So this week, let's look back on these women who truly paved the way for many of us to run our businesses, manage farms, practice law and educate our children and make them proud.
Many thanks to the Union County Public Library for this list and for keeping such meticulous records of all the great things people in our area have accomplished. If you'd like more information on any of these please visit the Union County Public Library.
