County native establishes memorial fund for Democratic Party
Published 12:11 pm Monday, May 14, 2018
ELIZABETHTON — Wilda Bowers Newman is no stranger to giving back.
Wilda and her husband, Edward I Newman, have established a memorial fund, for today and beyond.
Wilda will formally announce the fund at a joint program with Carter County Democratic Women’s Club and Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties (Tri-County Democrats) Tuesday, May 22, at the Bonnie Kate Theater. The reception is set for 5 p.m. with speakers to follow at 6 p.m., including gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean, wife Anne Davis and Marty Olsen, M.D. for U.S. House of Representatives, 1st District. Wilda will address the context of the fund and talk about the inspiration behind the desire of her and her husband to leave a meaningful memorial to her family and their sacrifice.
The fund is established in honor of Wilda’s mother and stepfather, life-long residents and active Democrats of Carter County. The Eunice and Frank Carr Annual Memorial Fund for Democracy, Carter County Democratic Party, is intended “for voter education, without bias or prejudice.” In her words:
“Education of the young on the democratic process can prepare children to be informed citizens that accept and assume personal responsibility of that process. Informed citizens listen, research, and identify facts relative to specific issues, then challenge what they “know.” Only then is an issue understood clearly and better prepares citizens for an active role aimed at a better society based on freedom, equality, and the right to assemble as they choose.”
The fund will be open to others for contributions and serve as a mechanism for fundraising, for educational purposes.
Ms. Newman attended Gap Creek Elementary and Happy Valley High schools, and went on to the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University, completing her Bachelor’s at the University of Maryland University College; Master’s Degree at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. She retired from the Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL) after 35 years and established her own company, Knowledge Associates Resources, LLC. She remains active in professional associations at the national and international level and has been recognized for her extensive professional work and contributions. She is also a former employee of the Elizabethton Star.
After Wilda’s marriage to Edward they moved to Florida and later settled in Maryland, where they have lived for over 50 years. Even so, she and Ed have remained frequent visitors to Elizabethton and various areas of Carter County and surroundings staying in touch with family and friends. They have a son, David Samuel Newman; he and his family also reside in Maryland.
If you would like more information about this event, or have interest in donating to this fund, please contact Kristi Carr at kcarr59@outlook.com or (423) 297-5552.