2026 WHT Macon Matriarch Nancy Siler Scott

On March 14th as part of Women’s History Month, the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (FHAMC) announced their selection for this year’s WHT Macon Matriarch – Nancy Siler Scott. The day began with “Passport to the Past,” a collaboration between FHAMC and Franklin Downtown Merchants that encouraged people of all ages to visit WHT Trail Sites in town to learn more about early women trailblazers while becoming reacquainted with stores along Main Street. Mid-day, Women’s History Trail members, FHAMC directors, family and friends gathered at the Macon County Historical Museum to honor Nancy with the 9th Annual WHT Macon Matriarch Award. Marty Greeble, FHAMC vice chair and a member of the WHT leadership team, welcomed attendees and gave an overview of the WHT Macon Matriarch program highlighting past recipients: Margaret Ramsey (2018), Sally Kesler (2019), Dorothy “Dot” Crawford (2020), Roberta Swank (2021), Jessie Cabe (2022), Sue Waldroop (2023), Betty Warstler (2024) and Betty Merrill (2025). Nancy joins this esteemed group of women full of passion for nurturing our community life while preserving our mountain heritage and making a lasting, positive impact in Macon County.

FHAMC Board member Janet Greene introduced Nancy and offered these insights:
It is my privilege to introduce a wonderful Macon County leader as our newest matriarch.

Nancy Siler Scott doesn’t need an introduction, but I will refresh our memories as to why this honor is so fitting for her – AND it is appropriate that we are presenting the award at the Macon County Historical Museum because history runs through her veins and her life. A descendant of William Siler, the Siler family have been leaders in Macon County since its founding and have gathered annually for a Siler family meeting for more than 174 consecutive years.

History has been Nancy’s career. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1959 in a class of 127 students and continued her education at Duke University where she majored in history. Although Nancy was hired in the 1960’s to initiate the first Headstart program as a teacher in Nantahala, she also taught at Cartoogechaye, Union and Otto Elementary Schools. She spent the bulk of her career teaching World History and Civics at Franklin High School. Nancy was a beloved teacher who cared deeply about her students and after retiring, that caring led her to go back to school at Western Carolina University to seek a degree in counseling and continue to serve as a mental health consultant for Macon Program for Progress.

Nancy has made history. Elected to the Board of Aldermen/Town Council for the Town of Franklin, she served for 11 years including becoming the first female elected as vice-mayor. She is married to Bob Scott, and was First Lady to the Town of Franklin during Bob’s eight years of service as Mayor. She is a mother to two children, George and Joanna.

Nancy excelled in these community endeavors: A volunteer at the Macon County Historical Museum serving on the board from 1990 – 1995, an active member of First United Methodist Church where she has held numerous leadership roles, a member of the Retired Teacher s Association where she served as president, a volunteer at the Friends of the Library and was on the Macon County Library Board where she advocated for equitable library services. Nancy is a founding member of the Friends of the Greenway, a supporter of the Women’s History Trail and sculpture project and is a role model and mentor to many.

Marty Greeble presented Nancy with a certificate that highlighted Nancy’s accomplishments and stated, “Nancy has created a legacy for strong women in Macon County. As an educator, she served thousands of Macon County students during her 30-year career.”

In receiving the 2026 WHT Macon Matriarch award, Scott read Emily Dickinson’s poem “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” “I’m nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody too? Then there’s a pair of us – don’t tell! They’d banish us, you know. How dreary to be somebody! How public, like a frog to tell your name the livelong day to an admiring bog!”

Nancy went on to share the following: “Well today, I am a frog, but this is not a bog, but rather it is the marvelous Macon County Historical Museum. Look around at all the Macon County relics. It’s a treasure trove. Thank you to the museum board and to John Deville for inviting this Macon County relic here today and thank you especially to the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County for giving me this special award.

This is indeed a great honor to be chosen as the 2026 WHT Macon Matriarch. I follow a group of outstanding women, all of whom I have known and admire. I want to especially thank and recognize the women who have made the Women’s History Trail project a reality and the success that it is. They have, through dedication, hard work, and by combining their particular talents and intellects, created not only the Women’s History Trail in Macon County, but have also made Barbara McRae’s vision of the historical women’s statue at the entrance to our town in the Women’s History Park a reality. They have put our town and county on the map, and they deserve a special recognition and honor, singularly and collectively.

So, now for my wisdom and concerns as a matriarch: As an 85-year-old, I have seen a lot of change. But probably nothing compared to what our grandchildren will see in their lifetimes. And they likely won’t have it as good as I did. I do worry for them. I believe we are strongly shaped by the when, the where’s, and the who’s of our lives. Where and when we are born and grow up, who we live with, who we go to school with, who our colleagues are. I have been very fortunate in all these places, times, and people. I am very grateful to family, friends, my schools, my careers and my opportunities to serve my community. I am a privileged elderly white woman who has been very lucky.

Sometimes, it is hard to be hopeful when we see democratic backsliding and technological overwhelm, but I believe we must stand strong for civic engagement and positive change; and work together to take care of our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and our beautiful country. We all need to stop trashing God’s creation with our litter; stop polluting our water and air; and show we care about this place we call home. And let’s be encouragers to our young people, as they find their places in this world that they are inheriting from us. Let’s use our collective resolve and effort to make life more hopeful for them. Their future is our legacy. And during Women’s History Month, let’s remember the generations of women who have stood up for women’s rights, for women’s safety and equality. As our local Reach organization reminds us, domestic violence and sexual assault continue to affect women in every community and at every level of society.

Let us help the next generation of young women stand strong for their rights and dignity throughout their lives, through education, independence, and self-worth.”

Nancy closed by reading part of another poem, “A Summer Day,” written by Mary Oliver.
“I don’t know exactly what prayer is, I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to knell down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I’ve been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Following additional comments and stories about Nancy from Mary Polanski, Anne Hyder, and Claire Suminski (FHAMC board members), the group enjoyed refreshments prior to traveling to Women’s History Park where the celebration concluded.

Macon Matriarch Award
The WHT Macon Matriarch award focuses on the impact women’s lives have made in this county. Women are nominated for their service in such areas as education, local government, heritage, arts, and occupation. A selection committee comprised of Folk Heritage Association of Macon County/WHT members evaluate nominations while considering public opinion and stories shared to determine the annual honoree. This year’s selection team was led by Mia Overton (FHAMC Chair) and Susan Ervin. “We have such treasures in our community…we don’t want to miss an opportunity to honor them,” expressed Anne Hyder, past FHAMC Chair/WHT Leadership. “Over the years, there have been many strong women who have worked hard to make our community a better place to live, and we must remember their selfless acts of service,” stated Theresa Ramsey, FHAMC Treasurer/WHT Leadership. Stories about distinguished WHT Macon Matriarchs may be found at womenshistorytrail.org, along with information about the Women’s History Trail self-guided tour and the “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” sculpture. A downloadable brochure and map are on the website.

WHT Barbara Sears McRae Scholarship
To increase awareness about the Women’s History Trail, the importance of women’s heritage, and the impactful roles they play in a student’s life, especially career and educational goals, the Women’s History Trail established an annual scholarship for graduating seniors in Macon County (Franklin, Highlands, Nantahala). Applications are available through the school’s guidance counselor/office. Once the application process is complete, a WHT selection committee reviews applications, the recipient is chosen, and the student is recognized in the spring. Named after the late Women’s History Trail visionary and founder, Barbara Sears McRae, this scholarship is awarded to a candidate that strongly exemplifies community involvement, volunteerism, and academic achievement.

The mission of the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County is to provide living history experiences and to preserve the heritage of Macon County for generations to come. Visit folkheritageassociation.org to learn more.