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Sherrie Norris of Boone, North Carolina is many things – a mother, a daughter, a wife, a community activist, a writer, a trailblazer, and a fantastic cook, to name a few. But perhaps no title captures her so perfectly as that of storyteller, for she is certainly a vivid and perceptive one.

Each month throughout Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties, the All About Women magazine – filled with columns, advice, and features spotlighting the careers, creativity, and accomplishment of women from the high country we both call home – is available at newsstands. Sherrie has served as its editor since 2008, and has dedicated its pages – from cover-to-cover – to giving some much-deserved attention to women who would never seek the spotlight on their own or who mistake their duties as breadwinners, caretakers, artists, and moms as mundane or somehow un-newsworthy. In Sherrie’s mind, theirs are stories that need to be told. I’m glad she’s committed to telling them.

Women featured by Sherrie in the magazine range from pioneering big rig drivers and mother-daughter business startup teams to local historians and community service devotees. The variance in their backgrounds and passions is excitingly broad, and a real testament to our community. 

For Sherrie, this community storytelling is personal. She grew up with the example of her mother, a community news columnist for the Avery Journal, whose pen never strayed from the pulse of her Crossnore town. Her mother was, in Sherrie’s words, loving. She loved her town and the people in it. In spite of significant personal challenges, she – a mother of five – worked very hard to be generous through her writing and her lifestyle. While many saw the polished product of her work, few saw what was expended in its creation or the hardship behind the scenes. The lack of attention there is part of what motivated Sherrie’s life of activism and current career focus on championing North Carolina women, of all ages.

Armed with empathy that could stretch for miles, more than thirty years of freelance writing experience, and ten years as a private caterer, Sherrie can find common ground with most anyone and tell their stories in a way that does them justice.

Since taking the editing helm, Sherrie has not only been the heart behind the All About Women magazine, but the visionary behind two All About Women Expos as well. The magazine’s pages come to life at these Expos where women come together to celebrate health and wellness, provide resources for job seekers, and showcase the talent of high country entrepreneurs and artists.

Though she is often the muscle behind the scenes of publications, networking events, and charity drives, Sherrie is never the focus. Hers is an example of humility, thoughtfulness, and out-of-the-box thinking I am happily challenged to follow.

Sherrie is disarming in her honesty, as a quick read through any of her letters in All About Women proves. Through her writing, she offers the encouragement of a friend and the advice of a trusted guide. She urges women to take ownership of their journey and celebrate each of life’s seasons - even the ones characterized by gray hair and wrinkles, because “regardless of where we are in life, just as the leaves begin to take on their annual transformation, we women can glide smoothly and effortlessly into our next phase.”

The story of women – of our leadership, sacrifice, determination, and accomplishment – has been built over time, and needs no embellishment. But our collective story requires regular updates as it grows in richness, and continual re-telling. Because of Sherrie Norris, the contributions of high country North Carolina women are regularly added to this library. Young women, much like she was when she saw the power of her mother’s pen, will be inspired by the archives, seeing just a glimpse of what North Carolina women are capable.