Dr. Sheila Williams is Athens County’s 2021 Woman of the Year

Shayne Lopez • April 8, 2022

Dr. Sheila Williams

 

The Athens County Foundation Women’s Fund awarded the 2021 Woman of the Year Award to Dr. Sheila Williams for her contributions to behavioral health in Athens County over the course of her lifetime.

 

A practicing counselor in Athens County since 1976, Dr. Sheila Williams has impacted the lives of countless women. Additionally, her significant volunteer and advocacy work has made a difference in Athens County for women experiencing substance use disorders and in advancing racial equity.   

 

Dr. Williams was an early board member of Clem House, a residential program for men in recovery. She remained on the board for more than 8 years. Although Clem House serves men, her work helped shape policies and practices that have a ripple effect on women and children in our community. As the male residents learn how to become better partners, providers, and fathers, the women and daughters in their lives benefit greatly. Recognizing the need for a similar residential facility for local women struggling with substance use disorders she and a group of area women set about making that happen. Dr. Williams applied her prior experience directing an ongoing weekend residential program for incarcerated youth with substance use disorders, supervising counselors in a jail alternate residential program for adults with DUIs, and her experience on the Clem House Board, to help create a recovery house for women in Athens County. In 2018, she became the board president of Women for Recovery, the parent organization for the now established Serenity Grove Recovery House for Women, and remains in that role to this day. Dr. Williams’ counseling expertise is an asset for residents, as she can advise staff on how to assist with behavioral challenges such as eating disorders, self-esteem issues, and collaborative relationships within the temporary “family” of Serenity Grove.  

 

Dr. Williams’ commitment to racial equity has also made an impact in Athens County. “Sheila’s experience as a person of color who raised her family in a predominantly white community has challenged each of us to learn about ourselves and to put what we learn into action, words, and deeds,” said Janalee Stock, fellow board member at Serenity Grove. In 1988, Sheila co-founded Students Teaching About Racism in Society (STARS) at Ohio University, a program achieving international recognition with its peer-to-peer model of promoting equity and inclusion among the college student population. As a faculty member in the Ohio University Department of English in the 1970s, Dr. Williams taught courses in African American literature and literature by Black authors from across the diaspora. She designed and executed a Visiting Scholars program for that Department that brought noted authors of Color to the campus and made sure of their availability to the general Athens public. The knowledge of these various perspectives on the Black experience served to broaden her understanding and has fostered her ability to assist others in widening their perspectives. “Sheila encourages us to dig deeper into how history, culture, discrimination, bias, and micro-aggressions must proactively be addressed,” Janalee shared.  

 

Dr. Williams is still going strong in her counseling practice and her community volunteerism. Her contributions to behavioral health in Athens County stretch over 45 years, a feat that speaks of resilience and passion for helping others.  

 

On March 24, 2022, Dr. Williams received the award at Stuart’s Opera House during ACF’s A Celebration of Community. The Foundation also honored the other nominees for this year’s award: Jennifer Seifert and Molly Wales.  

 

The mission of the Women’s Fund of the Athens County Foundation is to promote philanthropy among women and to establish a permanent fund that will provide funding to programs and projects in Athens County which empower women to achieve their full potential. Each year, the Women’s Fund awards grants to Athens County nonprofits that benefit women and girls.  

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Emily Prince is ACF's New Communications and Engagement Manager

By Shayne Lopez • December 4, 2025
The Athens County Foundation is excited to welcome Emily Prince as our new Communications and Engagement Manager. With a background rooted in arts leadership, nonprofit service, and collaborative storytelling, Emily brings a dynamic and deeply community-centered approach to her new role. Emily’s professional journey has included roles such as Operations Director at Stuart’s Opera House, Training and Activation Director for Air Collaborative, and Program Specialist at Arts West. She has also served as Education and Development Director at Stuart’s Opera House, contributing to the growth and sustainability of arts and cultural programming in the region. "I am over the moon and honored to be creating this new role at the Athens County Foundation,” Prince said. “After having been involved with the Foundation one way or another since I participated in the inaugural class of Leadership Athens County, it feels like coming home." Her earlier career began in New York where she worked as a producer, stage manager, actor, director, casting director, and dramaturge. These diverse roles helped shape her belief in the importance of story, creativity, and collaboration as tools for change. Since returning to Athens County in 2005, Emily has continued to lead with heart and vision—graduating from the inaugural Leadership Athens County class, co-chairing its alumni network, and serving on numerous boards, including the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and the Nelsonville Rotary Club. Emily lives on a farm in Athens County with her husband and sons, where she enjoys crafting, writing, and supporting creative projects that enrich local life. “Emily brings more than communications experience; she brings a way of working that reflects our values of courage, inclusion, trust, collaboration, and hope,” said Kerry Pigman, Executive Director. “Her approach will help deepen relationships, build stronger community ties, and engage more people in more places across Athens County.” From the stages of New York to the heart of Appalachia, Emily has used her voice to lift up others and create spaces where ideas and people thrive. She brings a deep belief in the power of connection, and we’re excited for her to help us engage more people in more places across Athens County. Through storytelling, creative outreach, and authentic collaboration, Emily will help share the incredible voices of our region and strengthen the bonds that move us forward together. In her role at ACF, Emily will lead communications and outreach strategies that align with the Foundation’s mission to build on the strengths of our community, advancing participation and collaboration to address longstanding challenges and pursue extraordinary opportunities. We’re honored to have Emily join the ACF team and look forward to the impact she will make through her storytelling, engagement, and leadership.

Athens Armory opens as new home to Athens County Foundation and BlueDot Coworking

By Mary Reed • October 2, 2025
September 30 open house draws stakeholders and community members alike.
Map of the U.S. with blue dots representing 2025 Civic Hub Grantee locations, sponsored by the Trust for Civic Life.

Athens County Foundation Recognized as One of 26 Civic Hubs Nationwide

September 26, 2025
Big Announcement: Athens County Foundation Receives National Recognition