Wesleyan College spotlights DA Anita Howard during Women’s History event

The district attorney says her mother was her inspiration growing up and taught her just being herself was enough.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women, Wesleyan College celebrates women’s history every day.

However, an event on Tuesday honored Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard, who says all women should have the right to live out their dreams.  

“I’m so honored that this award was given to me by a community right here in Macon,” she said. “My late father taught me that charity should start at home and spread abroad. I have received many awards, but the ones from the community I’m in always mean the most.”

The District Attorney says her mother was her inspiration growing up and taught her that just being herself was enough.

“Often times as women, we want to live in the shadows,” she said. “We don’t think we’re good enough. We worry about our hair, our weight. I would just say give yourself grace and live out loud, and know that you can achieve your goals if you put in the work.”

Dr. Barbara Rowan, president of the Career Women’s Network, says young women should look up to Howard and the work she does.

“I hope young women are seeing in District Attorney Anita Howard is a woman that is leading by example,” she said. “She is out there doing, not just telling us what to do. She is setting an example of what to do to clean up this community and make change in people’s lives.”

Meaghan Blight, President of Wesleyan College, believes this event showed young women that no dream is too big, no matter their background.

“These are women at all ages and stages, from every social economic, racial, religious background,” Blight said. “They’re coming together to say Women’s History Month is important, to make the traditions of the past. And also, acknowledge there is a way to go, and young women can be inspired by that.”

Wesleyan will host a series of events and activities this month designed to honor the accomplishments of women, both past and present.