Our Vision and Mission:

The mothers of this invention—WNC Woman—call all women of Western North Carolina to join us in finding our voices and sharing our wisdom in this publication.

We are dedicated to giving voice to the lives of women in Western North Carolina by sharing stories and insights as a way of honoring, exploring and expanding one another in both our personal and professional lives. We will weave a web of women expressing their personal power, joy, and wisdom. We extend the voices of many who are courageously exploring and sharing their realities for the highest good of all.

Let us celebrate our differences. We are not one monolithic group: we are natives and newbies, wealthy and worried about paying the rent. Some of us are in relationship (traditional or otherwise); others are happily (or not so happily) alone. We are "Maidens, Mothers, Crones" . . . and everything in between. Some of us have our acts together, and some of us are barely hanging on. Each of us is a pilgrim on her own journey with her own internal compass, her own map of the territory, her own mileposts and destination.

Let us shine a light on women who are overcoming obstacles. Sometimes our lives seem like one long obstacle course. Throughout Western North Carolina, we are leaping over obstacles of our own making, pole vaulting over limitations imposed by family or society. We are in the process of transforming our lives. Each unfolding, even each small step forward, gives us all courage and inspiration to do the same. Some of us are dealing with rising out of poverty or struggling with substance abuse. All of us struggle with our own self-imposed limitations. Let us find the courage to know that we are the authors of our own lives.Let us celebrate our victories together. Small victories or large ones—all are worthy of a "You go, girl!"

Let us learn together about power. Starting with personal power, let's explore how to uncover it, to acknowledge it, and to use it for the highest good.

Let us learn together about love. Starting with loving ourselves, let's explore how caring for and nurturing ourselves is a prerequisite for caring for our families and our planet.

Let us weave together a rich tapestry of our experience, our courage, and our love for the benefit of ourselves and all of our sisters in these mountains.

Let us share our growth toward wholeness and well-being.

Can we do this? Can we come together in print and in cyberspace to create a community of women who are coming into their power and the fullness of their love for themselves, for others, for the Earth and the creatures who share it with us? Can we use the compost of our own "mistakes", our own grief and sorrow, to create the fertile soil for our own growth? Let's see!

Julie Savage Parker
Publisher, Editor

Sandi Tomlin-Sutker
Publisher, Editor