By WaTasha Barnes Griffin—
MUNCIE, Ind. — The Coalition of Women’s Organizations will host its 29th annual Women’s Equality Day program at 5 p.m. Aug. 25, 2021 in the Muncie City Hall auditorium.
The celebration will honor six local women who have made significant contributions to the community.
This event will pay special tribute to Vivian V. Conley, who was at the forefront of many community issues relating to education, civil rights, and older residents, according to a release. Women’s Equality Day celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Those honored will be awarded a Vivian V. Conley Recognition Certificate.
In her 60s, Conley decided to enroll at Ball State University and attended at the same time as her daughter and three of her grandsons. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in gerontology from Ball State. She was the founder of the Non-Traditional Student Association and was credited with directing more than 150 young people and adults into college programs. She was active until her death in 1993 at the age of 71. Then-Gov. Evan Bayh named her a Sagamore of the Wabash.
Honorees for 2021 include:
- Lindsey Arthur–Distinction in Community Development Leadership.
- Dr. Mia D. Johnson–Distinction in Educational Empowerment Leadership
- Beth Goetz–Distinction in Athleticism Leadership.
- Teresa Long–Distinction in Entrepreneurial Leadership.
- Patricia Nelson–Distinction in Arts and Culture Leadership.
- Rhonda Ward–Distinction in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership.
Trenda Whiteman will be the 2021 recipient of the Vivian V. Conley Memorial Re-Entry Scholarship at Ball State University.
The Coalition of Women’s Organizations will also acknowledge twenty local women as Heroes of the Pandemic. These individuals have gone above and beyond to ensure that the Muncie Community has been cared for during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The coalition is made up of the local branches of the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, National Organization for Women, Indiana Women of Achievement Awards Committee, Friends of Conley and the Coalition of 100 Women.
Public law 93-382 designated Aug. 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. This will be the 101 anniversary of the amendment and is a time to honor the achievements of the women who fought for suffrage and salute the successes of today’s women who are making a difference in our community.
Attendees can join the event in-person. Social distancing protocols will be in place.
