Women’s History Month

Happy Women’s History Month! 🥳️

The theme for AECA this year is Linking Hearts and Minds: Early Childhood Connections. 

This month we will be celebrating stories from our past presidents about women who who helped shape their experience as early childhood professionals. They were able to help grow our early childhood field here in Arkansas and I hope that continues to happen today with the women in YOUR life.

Today’s share comes from Deniece Honeycutt, Director at Early Care and Education Projects.

A Tribute to Diamonds: Past, Present, and Future

“We should always have three friends in our lives—one who walks ahead, who we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us, who is with us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we’ve cleared the way” – Michelle Obama.

As I reflect on this Michelle Obama quote and look at the list of past presidents of AECA, I am amazed at how it could have been written, especially for this group of incredible women (and men). Among the list, I saw those women who came before us and showed us the way forward – whose footsteps we emulated while making our path. Then I saw those faces we walked with and who helped and cheered us on during fun and challenging times. I feel lucky to see those bright, shiny faces whom we have helped and who are providing the light for us as AECA moves forward – each member of AECA is blessed to be part of this strong, influential, and impactful group of ladies (and gentlemen). We are fortunate this organization is changing, growing, and moving in the right direction with this next generation – by linking hearts and minds with early childhood connections.

AECA Past Presidents: Diamonds
Shaneil PJ Yarbrough	Barbara Gilkey	Joanna Grymes	Sue Martin	Lloyd Schuh
Gregg Cooper	Traci Johnston	Jacqualine Dedman	Beverly Boals Gilbert	Mildred Vance
Debbie Mays	Vicky Shelby	Diana Cunningham	C. Morell Jones	James T. Wright
Dawn Jeffrey	Janet Perkins	Diane Lawler	Linda Reasoner	Jo Ann Braddy Williams
Elizabeth Scudder	Trude Puckett	Wanda Mullino	Michele French	Virginia Manor
Janice Carter	Diana Courson	Sharen Crockett	Marietta Jerome	Floy Lafferty
Jamie Morrison Ward	Vicki Stearns	Carolyn Bowers	JoAnn Nalley	Gay Gattis
Elaine Davis	Vicky Shelby	Carol Snelson	Judy Franks Doebler	Betty Pagan
Deniece Honeycutt	Clara Caroll	Kathy Stegall	Eva Lee Graves	Genevieve Kelly
Robin Jones	Nonnie Vance	Nancy Bacot	Dot Brown	Virginia Wilmoth
Tina Ross	Sue Ann Walker	Dot Beck	Ruth Steinsiek	Sue Adams

Who are the women in your circles who have inspired you to become a better early childhood professional? Email president@arkansasearlychildhood.org with your stories.

Be sure to keep coming back to our socials to find more stories throughout this month and I look forward to reading yours.

Looking forward to connecting!

Natasha Kile
AECA President