Submitted by Theresa Ramsey - Folk Heritage Association of Macon County
On March 14 as part of Women’s History Month, the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (FHAMC) announced their selection for this year’s WHT Macon Matriarch – Nancy Siler Scott.
Women’s History Trail members, FHAMC directors, family and friends gathered at the Macon County Historical Museum on Saturday afternoon to honor Scott with the 9th annual WHT Macon Matriarch Award.
Marty Greeble, FHAMC vice chair and a member of the WHT leadership team, welcomed attendees and gave an overview of the Macon Matriarch program highlighting past recipients: Margaret Ramsey (2018), Sally Kesler (2019), Dorothy “Dot” Crawford (2020), Roberta Swank (2021), Jessie Cabe (2022), Sue Waldroop (2023), Betty Warstler (2024) and Betty Merrill (2025). Scott joins this group of women full of passion for nurturing our community life while preserving our mountain heritage and making a lasting, positive impact in Macon County.
FHAMC board member Janet Greene introduced Scott and offered these insights: “It is my privilege to introduce a wonderful Macon County leader as our newest matriarch. Nancy Siler Scott doesn’t need an introduction, but I will refresh our memories as to why this honor is so fitting for her – and it is appropriate that we are presenting the award at the Macon County Historical Museum because history runs through her veins and her life.”
Scott is a descendant of the Siler family, one of Franklin’s founding families. She spent most of her career teaching history at Franklin High School and served 11 years on the Franklin Board of Aldermen (now Town Council), including as vice mayor.
Scott excelled in these community endeavors: A volunteer at the Macon County Historical Museum serving on the board from 1990-1995, an active member of First United Methodist Church where she has held numerous leadership roles, a member of the Retired Teacher’s Association where she served as president, a volunteer at the Friends of the Library and was on the Macon County Library Board where she advocated for equitable library services. Scott is a founding member of the Friends of the Greenway, a supporter of the Women’s History Trail and sculpture project and is a role model and mentor to many.
She is the wife of Bob Scott, who served as Franklin mayor for eight years, and mother to George and Joanna.
Greeble presented Scott with a certificate that highlighted her accomplishments and stated, “Nancy has created a legacy for strong women in Macon County. As an educator she served thousands of Macon County students during her 30-year career.”
You can read more about Nancy Siler Scott in the March 18, 2026, edition of The Franklin Press.
The WHT Macon Matriarch award focuses on the impact women’s lives have made in Macon County. Women are nominated for their service in such areas as education, local government, heritage, arts and occupation. A selection committee comprised of Folk Heritage Association of Macon County/WHT members evaluate nominations while considering public opinion and stories shared to determine the annual honoree. This year’s selection team was led by Mia Overton (FHAMC chair) and Susan Ervin.
“We have such treasures in our community, we don’t want to miss an opportunity to honor them,” expressed Anne Hyder, past FHAMC chair/WHT leadership.
“Over the years, there have been many strong women who have worked hard to make our community a better place to live, and we must remember their selfless acts of service,” stated Theresa Ramsey, FHAMC treasurer/WHT leadership.
Stories about the WHT Macon Matriarchs may be found at www.womenshistorytrail.org, along with information about the Women’s History Trail self-guided tour and the “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” sculpture. A downloadable brochure and map are on the website.