“I have had the great fortune of having many influential women in my life–both past and present. In honor of National Women’s History Month, I would like to recognize great women from District 71,” said State Representative Tony McCombie. “We all know women who have influenced our lives, teachers, nurses, even our mothers. This is a perfect chance for us to recognize influential women of the 71st.”
March is nationally and locally recognized as Women’s History Month. Representative McCombie invited the public to nominate influential women of the 71st District, so she could recognize their efforts. Nominees included Megan Dwyer, Pam Erby, Kim Ewoldsen, Beth Fiorini, Jodi French, Ramona Green, Mary Jo Larson, Ann McCarrell, Carrie Melton, Kris Noble, Angela Snook, Lana Soldat, and Diane Sweeney.
Earlier in April, McCombie introduced Fiorini and McCarrell at a brunch honoring emerging women of Illinois. She presented them to “almost 90 female leaders over the State.”
At noon, State Representative Tony McCombie hosted a tea to honor the contributions of the nominees, on Thursday, April 25, 2019, held at Krumpets, 1016 4th Street, Fulton, IL. Several attendees were nominators; they summarized the special qualities and efforts of their honoree. McCombie had nominated women, too. Green, Larson, and Sweeney were not able to attend.
She concluded the event with time to offer suggestions and concerns were shared with the Legislator. For example, she was informed of high insurance rates for Illionois farmers ($30,000 a year) and high suicide rates for farmers.
Shown left-to-right are three Whiteside County honorees Kim Ewoldsen (Executive Director of Morrison Area Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce), Carrie Melton (Executive Director of Whiteside County April House Children’s Advocacy Center), Tony McCombie, and Beth Fiorini (Chief Operating Officer for Whiteside County Health Department and the Whiteside County Community Health Center.)
