How to be a notable woman

I've always wanted to be a notable woman. I imagine that to be a woman that has an innate ability to get things done; the person that is respected and respects others. The person that quietly goes about her life with integrity, but is not silent in the face of adversity. The woman that lives her life gracefully; with appropriate attention given to her merit.

Of course, I am looking from the outside in. I am not one of those women. On Sunday, I read about one of those women. Someone who gets up everyday and goes out to face whatever may come. (Lately, I have pulled the sheet up to my chin, hoping that would help a head full of "what to do's" sort itself out. It hasn't worked.) The woman I read about is named Mary Haith Savage, she is 79 and lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Mary gardens.  A lot. She changes how a vacant area looks and allows it to evolve into something beautiful; something better. As it states in the article,

"...lots once strewn with empty bottles, candy wrappers, and plastic bags are now an orderly garden."

I find it difficult to create a place that blooms; a place that transforms. I imagine all sorts of pitfalls before a seed even hits the dirt. But Mary has been courageous enough to garden and not just for herself, but for the people of Pittsburgh. She doesn't work on a small garden out back or one little parkway. She works on lots; areas that before Mary worked her hands into the soil, we would drive by with hearts heavy from the blight. If you read the full story you will find that she has been doing this for 40 years. You will find that she will go to the City-County building to get permits to garden on city property. You will find that she has memberships on a number of committees.

You will find that she is a notable woman.

The full article written by Diana Nelson Jones of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette can be found here http://www.parade.com/news/our-towns/2010/0808-she-helps-gardens-bloom.html

This is not the only article on Mary Haith Savage, please use the links below to find out more.

Additional Links:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10034/1032917-51.stm
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10112/1052443-455.stm
http://www.jeffersonawards.org/