University News
Writing Women Into History Awards Presented March 5
February 11, 2016
MACOMB, IL - The Macomb Feminist Network has chosen Alice Henry, Alta Sargent and Peggy Scharfenberg as the 2016 recipients of the Writing Women Into History Award.
These three women have all lived in McDonough County, have been exceptional role models, and, through their initiatives, advocacy and/or engagements, have made extraordinary contributions within the local community.
A brunch reception will be held to honor the accomplishments of the recipients from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5 in the Western Illinois University Multicultural Center on West Murray Street. The celebration is open free to the public.
Henry, a McDonough County Board member and Finance Committee Chair, was nominated for her significant public leadership and service to the local community. She was described by her nominators as an unsung heroine in county government "who exemplifies all the best qualities of a skilled, dedicated and talented public servant, who has worked tirelessly for many years for the good of McDonough County."
Henry's public service and leadership go beyond her work in county government and extend to conservation efforts. She serves as vice chair (as well as previous chair) of the Prairie Land Conservancy. With her husband Bob, Henry has preserved 265 acres in Macomb County, including an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Reserve area and an Illinois Nature Preserve. Her advocacy in this policy area also includes an additional leadership role, as Alice also serves on the Board of the Prairie State Conservation Coalition.
According to one of her nominators, Alice's contributions to our area and her commitment to public service truly make her the role model for engaged citizenship.
Sargent has been involved in many important endeavors in the Macomb community throughout her life. She has been an innovator, inspiring others to work with her to make this a better place to live and work.
Sargent successfully owned and operated the Sargent Funeral Home at a time when few women were licensed funeral directors in Illinois. As a member of the Macomb Park District, she was instrumental in persuading John Patton to donate land to the city for Patton Park, a park that continues to be enjoyed by the public. She was a founding member of the Altrusa Club in 1961, and still participates actively, enriching the club with her knowledge and experience.
Through Sargent's initiative, the Altrusa Bazaar began in 1965, growing into a huge event that raises thousands of dollars to support local literacy projects. Sargent also has been active with the McDonough District Hospital Auxiliary, contributing more than 100 Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for the Hospital Gift Shop and serving as the treasurer of the MDH Auxiliary's Coffee Shop, a position that requires her daily supervision.
Attesting to her life-long commitment to improving McDonough County, Sargent was the recipient of an Ageless Achiever Award from the Illinois Area Agency on Aging.
Scharfenberg has contributed much to our community through her roles as a teacher and as a founder of the Festival of Trees and Baby Talk. Although Scharfenberg started out teaching at the secondary level, most of her career was spent at the kindergarten/elementary levels in the Macomb Schools.
Retirement from the classroom did not end her contributions to our community. In 1993, she began the Festival of Trees, an annual event that has become a major fundraiser and holiday event for the MDH Foundation. This event has helped to fund purchases such as an ambulance, a Digital Mammography System, a CT scanner and has also helped with renovations to the MDH recovery center and provided support for the Dolores Kator Switzer Women's Center.
In 1997, Peggy did the research, became a trainer, organized the volunteers and established Baby TALK (Teaching Activities for Learning and Knowledge) at MDH to encourage new parents to read to their babies. All parents of babies born at MDH receive a hospital visit and materials from a trained Baby Talk volunteer. From its early stages, Baby TALK has grown and become a collaborative effort with MDH, local libraries, service clubs, etc.
As a teacher and as a founder of the Festival of Trees and Baby TALK, Scharfenberg has demonstrated the true meaning of volunteerism. Community members of all ages continue to benefit from her contributions.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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