Culture
Nominations For WOAP’s Appalachian Advocate Award Open
< < Back toThe Women of Appalachia Project (WOAP), now in its eighth year, invites the public to submit nominees for the Women of Appalachia, Appalachian Advocate Award.
According to Kari Gunter-Seymour, founder/curator of WOAP, the award will go to an outstanding Appalachian woman who has dedicated herself to enhancing the well being of Appalachian culture, Appalachian women’s health, Appalachian families or Appalachian land issues.
“There are so many women throughout Appalachia who have been vital to its growth and development who have enhanced lives and initiated change. It is so appropriate for WOAP to provide a venue for recognition of these women who often go unsung,” said Gunter-Seymour.
Women residing in any of the 164 counties of Appalachia are eligible for nomination.
Nominators are asked to write a 350-800 word narrative describing how the woman they wish to nominate has impacted Appalachia and may collect up to five additional support letters. Email a collated Word or PDF document to womenofappalachia@gmail.com.
Nominations will be accepted through March 10, 2017. The winner will be announced and will receive the award on April 14, 2017 during the Women Speak performance in the Ohio University Multicultural Center Art Gallery, Baker University Center, Athens campus. Donations for My Sister’s Place, domestic violence shelter, will be collected at the door.
The featured guest will be internationally acclaimed poet Maggie Smith, Ohio Day poet of the year, author of several award winning chapbooks and the poem “Good Bones.”
The 2017 award will be designed and produced by local artist Marlene L’Abbe, best known for her painting techniques using unique applications of color and highly interpretive portrayals of the female form.
The public is invited to attend all Winter and Spring events. For event information go to www.womenofappalachia.com or the organization’s Facebook page.