The Macomb Feminist Network celebrated Women's History Month by recognizing the accomplishments of four local women.
The Writing Women Into History award was created in 2010 at the suggestion of Maria Dunstan, a member of MFN. She said it is a way to recognize women for their extraordinary contributions to the community.
“We are looking to honor these women who may have acted as silent partners in making our town so much better,” Dunstan said. "We’re writing women into the history of Macomb when maybe some of these things haven’t been documented or recognized before."
The 2018 award recipients are:
- Martha Klems
- Paula Wise
- Maurine Magliocco
- Sally Egler
Dunstan told Tri States Public Radio that these women are similar in that, “All four of them have been advocates for others."
“Whether it’s Sally Egler who has been such an extraordinary member of the League of Women Voters, or Martha Klems who is out there advocating and organizing people for various political events and her union contract negotiations, and then there’s Maurine Magliocco, who now lives in Springfield, but is still a big advocate for representation at Western Illinois University and her union work, and also Paula Wise who has been so active, whether it’s the Rotary, library, or (working) tirelessly for seniors in putting together that booklet," Dunstan said.
Dunstan said the Macomb Feminist Network receives numerous award nominations and she said many wonderful women have been recognized over the years. You can read more about past recipients of the Writing Women Into History Award here.
