Ashland County Women of Achievement induct five, present new award

Editor’s note: Cynthia Hudnut previously worked as director of Rape Crisis Domestic Violence Safe Haven of Ashland, and she receieved an award from Women of Achievement in part for that work, but Hudnut is no longer serving in that role. A previous version of this article mistakenly referred to her work with Safe Haven in the present tense. 

ASHLAND – Five outstanding women were recognized for their accomplishments Thursday as they were inducted into Ashland County Women of Achievement. 

The group was founded by Kay Conrad in 1991, and since then, nearly 200 women have received the honor. 

The five new members are Kathy Blackford, Cindy Hudnut, Jenny Keesee, Connie Marble and Donna Messerly. 

The 27th annual induction ceremony marked the first time the Women of Achievement have given out a new honor, the Young Woman to Watch award. That award went to Kylie Dingledine, who was nominated by her grandmother, Mary Cooper. 

Cooper said Dingledine maintains a 4.0 GPA, is an active volunteer in the community and stays healthy through crossfit training. 

Having set a goal from a young age to become a surgeon, Dingledine sought advice from professionals in the field and is shadowing doctors and nurses in the emergency room while still in high school.

Kathy Blackford

Kathy Blackford is the force behind Ashland County’s OSU Extension Office, where she has absorbed the duties left behind following staff cuts while continuing to grow the 4-H program.

In addition to her hard work preparing for and executing all her duties during the Ashladn County Fair, Blackford works tirelessly year-round to attend meetings throughout the state and country, chaperone 4-H members to help them attend state and national competitions, teach classes throughout the county and train and educate volunteers.

Behind the scenes, Blackford has provided scholarships to students to help them participate in activities and paid for program supplies out of her own pocket.

She also serves as a mentor to the youth who go through her program and has written countless nominations for youth and adults to recieve state and national recognitions.

Blackford admitted she gets frustrated from time to time but said her job is not hard because it’s a joy. 

“It really is a one-of-a-kind job working with the kids, working with our adult volunteers, so it’s easy to do all those things that you heard because the people are just great to work with,” she said.

Blackford emphasized her gratitude toward her parents and said her top advice for young people is, “Be the best parent you can be. That’s what the world needs today.”

Blackford was nominated by Vella King.

Cynthia Hudnut

Cythia Hudnut has spent the past 30 years working to provide safe shelter and resources for people at risk in Ashland County, including people who are homeless and people who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Through her previous work as Program Director at Rape Crisis Domestic Violence Safe Haven in 2012, she emphasized awareness and education.

Through that effort, Hudnut doubled the program’s staff and grew the budget to eight times what it was when she began, enabling her to expand outreach.

She has met the needs of victims through efforts large and small, ranging from writing grants to bring in millions of dollars to making sure victims have clothing and shoes after sexual assault exams.

Hudnut attributed her achievements to the efforts of many– family, friends, mentors and supporters. 

“I encourage each of you here tonight to be that family, member, friend or mentor to help young adults to achieve their dreams,” Hudnut said. “You can help them by listening, believing and encouraging them and by confronting social injustices such as lack of education.”

Hudnut was nominated by Mindy Reef.

Jenny Keesee 

Jenny Keesee is a dedicated advocate for children on the Autism spectrum.

After developing curriculum for her own child, she shared that curriculum with her child’s school district to help other children. 

She has served as a consultant to other parents who have children with special needs. She completed Special Education Advocacy Training and Court Appointed Special Advocate training, which she uses to volunteer as a voice for children in the court system. 

Meanwhile, she has gone back to school to pursue social work.

Keesee said being part of the community of people with disabilities can be isolating, so it requires a team approach.

“So we have to build a community to support them,” she said. “That’s all I’ve done is try to make sure that my child has the best quality of life possible.”

Keesee was nominated by Lisa Burgess.

Connie Marble

Retired teacher Connie Marble dedicated 40 years of her life to teaching High School English and maintains an active role in the Ashland City Schools, serving on the Ashland City Schools Foundation board of directors and playing an instrumental role in fundraising for both Archer Auditorium and the high school’s new field house. She also was involved in the schools’ recent strategic planning process.

“In the past four years we have built a new elementary school, a new middle school, Archer Auditorium, a renovated Taft and Edison schools, a renovated new administration building,” Marble said. “And next summer we’ll begin a two-year project to renovate Ashland High School. Also, later this month we are going to break ground on a new field house and sports complex.”

Marble sits on the board of Ashland County Community Foundation as well as the steering committee of the foundation’s Women’s Fund, and she and her husband have endowed a schlarship with the foundation.

Through her membership in the Garden Study Club, Marble has helped beautify the community, from the flowers in her own front yard to the ones lining Main Street.

Marble is also a member of the Samaritan Club of University Hospital Samaritan Medical Center, and she and teaches at Ashland University.

Marble emphasized the importance of community and ended her remarks with a quote from Hellen Keller.

“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much,” she said.

Marble was nominated by Martha Bickley. 

Donna Messerly 

Donna Messerly spent 43 years teaching at Ashland University and continues teaching as a volunteer at Dale Roy School and St. Edward School. 

She has taught more than 300 children and adults how to swim, including many people with disabilities.

Messerly was instrumental in developing an Adaptive Physical Education Degree, which has been recognized by the state as a model for other programs. 

Additionally, Messerly has endowed scholarships and given naming gifts for the Dale Roy School Messerly Kitcort Activity Area, the Charles Mill Lake Park Messerly Recreation Center and the Ashland University Messerly Auditorium. 

Noting the impact of a professor who noticed and encourgaed her own passions and abilities, Messerly encouraged the audience to be serve as mentors to others. 

Messerly was nominated by John Hoopingarner.