Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:04:01 -0400
From: Lesley Landis
Subject: Celebrating Women’s History Month
Before Pamela Baldwin in Pittsboro, Helen Buckner or Mary Helen Moody in Siler City, Sally Kost or Pam Stewart in Chatham County, there was Betty Ann Knudson in Wake County.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, ChathamArts Sustainable Cinema Series presents “Show Up, Speak Out: The Public Life of Betty Ann Knudsen” a documentary film about a North Carolina woman who made and changed history in our state.
Tues. March 29th, 7pm at Fearrington Village Barn, Pittsboro. $5 at door
As the first woman to serve as chair of the Wake County BOC and in her work on various boards and through numerous organizations, Betty Ann Knudsen led vital efforts to improve the quality of life for her community, especially for those who call Raleigh and Wake County home. Knudsen was instrumental in the merger of the Raleigh City and Wake County School Systems, the implementation of the Capital Area Transit (CAT) system of public transportation, the establishment of a greenway system, the regional library system, and community use of schools.
Knudsen is known state-wide as a role model and mentor for women. In 1984 she became the first woman in NC to run for a state-wide office with her campaign for NC Secretary of State. She has traveled all over the state recruiting and training women to run for public office, was a founding member of the NC Center for Women in Public Service and ran several campaigns, including that of Isabella Canon, Raleigh’s first female mayor.
In 2005 Knudsen was inducted into the Inaugural Raleigh Hall of Fame.
All proceeds help sustain the Chatham County Arts Council (“ChathamArts”)
See a film trailer at www.chathamarts.org/sustainablecinema/
Lesley Landis
President, Chatham County Arts Council <http://chathamarts.org/>