Women in Action

The Women in Action are a service group that sponsors a variety of fundraisers and projects each year to benefit the community.

They meet the second Thursday of each month in the basement of the Carnegie Library. New members are welcome at any time.

Some of the projects sponsored by Women in Action are the annual Armour High School Homecoming Parade, the Artist in the Schools program, Sampling Supper, Cap and Mitten Tree, Spelling Bee, Coloring Contest, Spaghetti Supper, Easter Egg Hunt, Grade School Dance, Blood Drive, Summer Reading Program, Dolly's Imagination Library, Cancer Walk and Prairie Readers.

The Prairie Readers program is held each year. A group of parents and teachers assist in coordinating this event with the WIA. Students from area schools test their knowledge of books chosen by the committee. The third annual Prairie Readers event was held in April 2006. Students from Armour received the first place team trophy. In sponsoring this event, the WIA purchased books for the school library and Carnegie Library.

In 2006, the WIA sponsored the sixth year of the summer reading program at the Carnegie Library with 96 participants reading 4,299 books.

The WIA also sponsor the Dollywood Foundation Program's efforts in Armour. Dolly Parton purchases books each month for local children from birth at 5 years old. Women in Action pays the postage for these books. There are 30 participants in this program and several children have already graduated as they had their sixth birthday. Children can sign up to receive the free books at the Carnegie Library. Sponsorship of this program costs the WIA approximately $80 per month.

The Artist in the Schools program is coordinated through the South Dakota Arts Council. Each year an artist spends a week in the Armour school working with children. In 2005-06, the artist was Dallas Chief Eagle, an American Indian hoop dancer. This year's artist in Vickie Fuller, who will work with children on theatrical projects.

If you are interested in joining Women in Action, please contact Linda Montgomery at the Carnegie Library.