Nashville's Unsung Heros

We all have heroes. Whether it’s a grandparent, a coach or someone we admire from afar—valuing and looking up to others that lead by example provides inspiration for us to live by. In this section, we’ve chosen some of the city’s most giving and gifted for their positive efforts and influence.

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Nicky Weaver and Sigourney Cheek:

The YWCA, has provided a shelter-based, community environment for mor than 30 years. However, nine years ago, a space dedicated to healing and nurturing for abused women and children, called the Bill and Nicky Weaver Domestic Violence Center, was built. The center was named after Nicky Weaver, a current board member of the YWCA, and her husband Bill (who has recently passed away). Unfortunately, the shelter was about $1 million over budget, leaving the YWCA with a large mortgage and deferred maintenance. From these frustrations developed a campaign called “Burn The Mortgage,” created by Nicky Weaver, and then-board member Sigourney Cheek, that not only paid off their financial woes, but also produced an awareness campaign that helped more than 6,000 women and children last year. “Nicky and I have been doing large events in Nashville since the 1970s,” says Cheek. “What was neat about this event was when I got the call from Pat [Shea, president of the YWCA], I was sitting in Nicky Weaver’s—my best friend’s—living room. It just worked really well for the both of us.” The campaign consisted of Nashville women, grouped together by different demographics or professions, coming up with their own ways to help. With the help of these dedicated women, and some corporate underwriting, the dynamic duo and their teams were able to pay off the mortgage and raise an extra $500,000 in deferred finance for upcoming years. “It was a feel-good moment because we got involved in something that really made a difference. It wasn’t just a monetary campaign, but was also about raising awareness,” explains Weaver. In addition to financially backing the violence shelter, they also raised a surprisingly large amount of awareness for the problem of domestic abuse in the community. “We realized that women who had never been in a violent situation were unaware of the fact that one in three women will be violated in some way during their lifetimes,” explains Weaver. “Our next step in raising more awareness is to bring it into the high school environment.” In addition to the 52-bed facility at the confidentially located violence shelter, the YWCA also offers a 24-hour crisis line, maintained by trained professionals and volunteers. For more information, visit YWCANashville.com —Jordan Rutledge

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