The Macomb Feminist Network has named its 2024 Writing Women into History honorees. They are Cathy Early, Sheila Nollen, Susan Shoemaker, and Lin Stults. The women are being recognized and celebrated for their exemplary contributions to the Macomb community over many years. 

Cathy Early is being honored for her leadership in the Macomb, McDonough County, and Western Illinois University communities. As an entrepreneur she has been a role model, serving her clients with competence and compassion and serving the community by weaving the skills she developed in business into her interest in the safety and success of the people of west central Illinois. In addition to numerous education initiatives and athletic activities, she supports civic and cultural groups ranging from the Macomb Public Library and Tri States Public Radio to Rotary, United Way, and the McDonough County EMTS/911. Her value to the people in this region is reflected in her appointments to multiple boards, among them the Macomb Area Economic Development Corp, the local Chamber of Commerce, the McDonough Hospital Foundation, and WIU’s Board of Trustees and Foundation Board. 

Sheila Nollen is being celebrated for her many contributions to community organizations and initiatives. Propelled by a deep commitment to social justice and equity, she has been a constant and conscientious supporter of a host of coalitions that directly support these values and address issues of food insecurity, homelessness, poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination. She also serves as a voice for inclusion and diversity in institutions whose missions are less directly identified with these concerns. Known as a quiet and generous advocate, Sheila can and does assume leadership roles when appropriate. Examples include her service as Deacon, Elder, and chair of numerous committees in the First Presbyterian Church and as a member of the Western Illinois Museum and Giving Gardens advisory boards. She is also ready to lead when her professional library skills and experience can impact a project significantly. 

Susan Shoemaker is being lauded for her twenty-plus years as the heart and hands of the McDonough Choral Society (MCS). With her husband John (now deceased) she founded the MCS and has been the cornerstone of its development. Susan’s background as vocalist and director has given her the knowledge and skill needed to successfully lead a choral group. Beyond her musical talent and experience, however, Susan’s success has depended on her complete dedication to the Society and her willingness to take care of the time-consuming behind-the-scenes work of an organization that offers two concerts every year. This means raising funds, choosing and securing appropriate music, leading months of weekly rehearsals, contracting rehearsal accompanists and program soloists, and preparing concert publicity. By taking all of this on, Susan uses her strengths to fill an important niche in the community.

Lin Stults is being feted as a model entrepreneur and a generous, lifelong civic-minded Macomb resident. Since 1979 she has served the community through Engraving by Lin, a Historic Downtown Legacy Business Enterprise that has prospered because of her creativity, skill, and attention to customer needs and because of her “pro-bono” work for schools and not-for-profits. She has been a reliable promoter of her business as well as of Macomb, consistently nurturing ideas to increase the number and variety of community events that engage residents and attract visitors. For instance, to heighten the fun of the winter holiday season, Lin helped initiate and implement the annual Dickens on the Square celebration; she enters into the spirit of the festivities as a Victorian lady. For over 40 years she has plied her trade and worked tirelessly to reinforce her hometown’s strengths.

Macomb Feminist Network members invite the community to join them in honoring these award recipients on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Wesley Community Center (1200 E. Grant Street, Macomb). Following a light brunch at 9:30 a.m., honorees will share their stories of community participation and commitment. The program will be live-streamed on the Macomb Feminist Facebook page. 

Photo caption: Left to right: Susan Shoemaker,  Sheila Nollen, Cathy Early, and Lin Stults