There are only two more days left in March, a.k.a. Women’s History Month. So today, we’re highlighting a few of the leading ladies in our local history. From politicians to writers + musicians to teachers, here are four women in Asheville + WNC who literally made history.

Photo courtesy of NC Collection, Pack Memorial Library

Lillian Exum Clement Stafford

An organizing member of the Asheville Business and Professional Women’s Association, formed in 1919, Lillian was born + raised in Buncombe County. She studied law and started practicing in 1917 (two years before women were able to vote in the U.S.).

She was the first female lawyer to practice without men in the state, and became the state’s first female legislator in 1920, when she won a seat in the N.C. House of Representatives by 10,000 votes. She died at the age of 38, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery. DYK: During her time practicing law, she earned the nickname “Brother Exum.”

Francine Delany

The first African-American graduate of Asheville-Biltmore College (now UNC Asheville), as well as one of the members of the college’s first senior graduating class in 1966, Francine Delany became a noted educator, working as a teacher + principal before taking the position of magnet schools coordinator for Asheville City Schools.

She was also the president of the NC Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and was very active in leadership positions at UNC Asheville, including as a member of the Foundation Board and Board of Trustees. DYK: Francine Delany New School for Children (119 Brevard Rd.) is named after her.

Photo courtesy of NC Collection, Pack Memorial Library

Wilma Dykeman

The writer + environmentalist grew up in Beaverdam in the 1920s and lived in or near Asheville + eastern TN for most of her life. After graduating from Biltmore Junior College, she received a BA in Speech at Northwestern University.

She’s the author of The French Broad, a history of the river, the region, and her own experiences, as well as bestseller The Tall Woman. Editor Ali loves her posthumously published memoir, Family of Earth. She’s also remembered for her social justice work, particularly around race + gender. DYK: She taught creative writing at the University of Tennessee and was a UNC Asheville board member.

Nina Simone

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon just down the road in Tryon (about 50 minutes from Asheville) in 1933, Nina rose to fame and became an iconic musician + performer. She taught herself to play piano at three years old and eventually took classical lessons. She graduated valedictorian of her high school and moved to study at Julliard in NYC.

After being denied entrance to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, she started teaching music + performing in NJ and NYC, quickly establishing her reputation as a virtuosic musician. Her home in Tryon is currently undergoing preservation by the N.C. Trust for Historic Preservation – take a virtual tour. DYK: Her childhood home was purchased by four African-American artists in 2017 for $95,000.

Which local women have you been celebrating this month?

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