Women’s Collections’ Shero of the Year, Kathy Ashe

By Morna J Gerrard | December 7, 2012

Rev. Joanna Adams, Ann Curry, Anne Deeley Easterly, Kathy Ashe, Ann Stallard, Anne Harper, Ann Cramer

On Thursday, November 29, the University Library’s Women’s Collections celebrated the accomplishments of our 2012 Shero of the Year, Kathy Ashe. More than 100 attendees enjoyed a touching and fun evening, and in doing so, helped the library to raise $27,870 for its various Women’s Collections’ endowments. While basic support for the Women’s Collections is provided by the University Library, our endowments provide additional funding for educational projects, public programming, specialized preservation needs, and travel to conduct oral histories or to pick up collections.

Legislator, community leader, educator, mother, volunteer, and “raging moderate” Kathy Blee Ashe was first elected to the Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives in June of 1991. Widely acknowledged as one of the most thoughtful, temperate leaders in the General Assembly, Kathy has led the way on children and youth, education, civil and human rights, and a host of other issues. She has done this with integrity, civility, and an unflinching willingness to cross party lines. Kathy’s oral history is part of GSU’s Activist Women’s Oral History Project, and for the past three years, the Ashe residence has opened its doors to host our Shero of the Year events.

Kathy is clearly well loved! Just look at the the list of admirers who joined our host committee: