New Book "The Women of Haywood" set for August 12 release

The Women of Haywood, Their Lives, Our Legacy, a new book about four professional African American women in Haywood County, Tennessee, is set for release August 12. A celebration and reception will be held from 3 - 5 p.m., at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Almost 20 years in the making, the collection of four oral history interviews is interspersed with essays from area scholars and reflections from local residents. This is the seventh book by Haywood County native Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson.

The book is based on interviews with Susie Ella Taylor Ashworth, Nola Walker Bond, Mayme Dell Rives Bowles Dotson and Eva James Davis Rawls. Bond Hopson interviewed  these ladies while a doctoral student at Southern Illinois University in the 90s,

“These women used their lives and talents to make us and the world better," says Bond Hopson. "This book simply tries to chronicle how and what made them great. I think their stories will tickle and bless your heart.”

Nola Walker Bond, an activist/teacher/businesswoman, was killed in a traffic accident in 1998 and Eva Rawls, one of the first African American registered nurses in Brownsville, died earlier this year. Mayme Dotson, who taught first-grade at the Douglass Elementary School for 43 years, lives in Nashville and Susie Ashworth, who retired after 58 years as a beautician, lives in Brownsville.

The book’s foreword was written by Brownsville businesswoman Cynthia Rawls Bond and features essays from Dr. Dorothy Granberry, Dr. Norma J. Burgess and Dr. Jo Zanice Bond, all scholars with Haywood County ties. Other contributors include Elma Bond Rogers, Greta V. Sanders, Laura Pruiett Smith, Dorothy Mann Bond, Louvern Tucker, John Ashworth, Dr. Thomas Averyheart and John M. and Barbara Bond. The book is self-published by Touched By Grace Publications and profits will stay in Haywood County to benefit scholarships, women’s empowerment and historic preservation.

During the reception, Bond Hopson will be signing copies and there will also be an opportunity for guests to make videotaped tributes. The book is approximately 160 pages and will be available in paperback ($24.95) and limited edition hardback ($34.95). Pre-orders may be made by calling 615-449-2858 or by e-mail to drhopson007@aol.com.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is a tourist information center and three regional museums located just off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56 in Brownsville, Tenn. For more information about the Center, visit www.westtnheritage.com.

Leadership Haywood County accepting applications

The Leadership Haywood County Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for the 2012-2013 class. The program, which is sponsored by the Brownsville-Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, is designed to heighten the awareness of community leaders, workers, and volunteers about the community’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.

For eight months, class members will learn about economic development, law enforcement, local government and infrastructure, healthcare and social services, quality of life, education and local and state government issues. Graduates of the program join more than 200 Leadership alumni to work together to make a better Brownsville and Haywood County.

Applications may be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office at 121 West Main Street, or download here. The deadline to submit an application is August 10. Classes generally meet one day per month. Tuition is $400. A $50 deposit is required with the application and is applied to tuition or refunded if not selected. Upon acceptance to the program, tuition must be paid in full no later than August 23.

For additional information about Leadership Haywood County, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 731-772-2193.

Community invited to meet new Chamber Director

The Brownsville-Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors cordially invites the community to meet Renee Moss at a Welcome Reception Monday, July 9, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., at the First South Community Room, 308 West Main St. A short program will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.