The following is an article published in the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal that honors six women for their contribution to the community. We're so proud to say that Jeff's sister, Kathy Ferrell, is one of the women honored! Congratulations Kathy! We're so proud of you!!
Article published Mar 22, 2008
Gilbert: 'I believe' in these six women
By LINDA GILBERT
The e-mail from a principal in response to a simple note of thanks said, "I believe in you." The words blessed my life, yet they convicted me because I cannot remember speaking those words — giving that blessing — to anyone. What a travesty! So today, permit me to say "I believe in you" to six women.
Ronni Shaw: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to expand a literacy initiative to impact thousands of lives in Rutherford County. I believe in your ability to develop a Family Literacy Center with satellite sites that will be the model for the nation — a center in which multi-generational programs will be offered, in which university pre-service teachers will have meaningful interaction with young children, in which the wisdom of senior citizens will increase the success of youth — a center in which the power of poverty will be overcome by the power of knowledge.
Ruth Ventrice: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to change the lives of young children and their families. I believe in your ability to build a network of parents who will support each other, will model developmentally appropriate practices, and will build physically safe and emotionally sound home environments across Rutherford County — a network in which open communication, trust, gentleness, and love reign ... and children thrive.
Kathy Ferrell: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to create hope for citizens whom we choose not to see, but whom you choose to serve. I believe in your ability to awaken the potential of this community to create a safety net for the disenfranchised among us — those who need to acquire employment skills, to complete educational requirements, to enter the job market — a safety net that will compel the blessed among us to minister to the broken among us, enabling success for all.
Lisa Terry and Leslie Akins: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to focus this county's diverse medical agencies and professionals on the wellness of children and the workplace. I believe that your perfect combination of unequaled energy, perseverance, and leadership will open our eyes to the truth that children and adults cannot do their best when their health is at risk — and will help each of us see how we can act on that truth in our own circles of influence.
Mary Schneider: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to help adolescents set goals to reach limitless possibilities. I believe in your stamina, your persistence, your unassuming manner, and your professional expertise that will allow you to grow the addiction prevention and intervention services in this county until there are places where children and youth can find immediate, effective help for their needs — and the beauty of life can once again be grasped.
Ronni Shaw, Ruth Ventrice, Kathy Ferrell, Lisa Terry, Leslie Akins, and Mary Schneider. Six women who deserve to hear "I believe in you" as they change the lives of children and adults in Rutherford County. Six women who remind us that each person we meet may have untapped knowledge, strengths, and talents that can change the world if only we will say to them, "I believe in you."
Article published Mar 22, 2008
Gilbert: 'I believe' in these six women
By LINDA GILBERT
The e-mail from a principal in response to a simple note of thanks said, "I believe in you." The words blessed my life, yet they convicted me because I cannot remember speaking those words — giving that blessing — to anyone. What a travesty! So today, permit me to say "I believe in you" to six women.
Ronni Shaw: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to expand a literacy initiative to impact thousands of lives in Rutherford County. I believe in your ability to develop a Family Literacy Center with satellite sites that will be the model for the nation — a center in which multi-generational programs will be offered, in which university pre-service teachers will have meaningful interaction with young children, in which the wisdom of senior citizens will increase the success of youth — a center in which the power of poverty will be overcome by the power of knowledge.
Ruth Ventrice: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to change the lives of young children and their families. I believe in your ability to build a network of parents who will support each other, will model developmentally appropriate practices, and will build physically safe and emotionally sound home environments across Rutherford County — a network in which open communication, trust, gentleness, and love reign ... and children thrive.
Kathy Ferrell: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to create hope for citizens whom we choose not to see, but whom you choose to serve. I believe in your ability to awaken the potential of this community to create a safety net for the disenfranchised among us — those who need to acquire employment skills, to complete educational requirements, to enter the job market — a safety net that will compel the blessed among us to minister to the broken among us, enabling success for all.
Lisa Terry and Leslie Akins: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to focus this county's diverse medical agencies and professionals on the wellness of children and the workplace. I believe that your perfect combination of unequaled energy, perseverance, and leadership will open our eyes to the truth that children and adults cannot do their best when their health is at risk — and will help each of us see how we can act on that truth in our own circles of influence.
Mary Schneider: I believe in you. I believe in your ability to help adolescents set goals to reach limitless possibilities. I believe in your stamina, your persistence, your unassuming manner, and your professional expertise that will allow you to grow the addiction prevention and intervention services in this county until there are places where children and youth can find immediate, effective help for their needs — and the beauty of life can once again be grasped.
Ronni Shaw, Ruth Ventrice, Kathy Ferrell, Lisa Terry, Leslie Akins, and Mary Schneider. Six women who deserve to hear "I believe in you" as they change the lives of children and adults in Rutherford County. Six women who remind us that each person we meet may have untapped knowledge, strengths, and talents that can change the world if only we will say to them, "I believe in you."
No one could have been any prouder than your Mom and I. We were not as surprised as Kathy was when we called her about the article since she had no idea it was going to be written.When she received the first congrat. call from a friend that morning at 7:30 she thought the call was because of something terrible had happened.