Oops50 had the pleasure this week of interviewing two of the owners of SheVille of Western North Carolina: Jean Cassidy and Va Boyle. SheVille is a wonderful, thoughtful and thought-provoking site that Jean and Va own with Lee Lehman, where they pull together “local, regional, national, and international” information that is “about women’s lives and education, sustainability and the environment, the arts and writing, community people and events.” Although the site is tailored to “women of Western North Carolina,” and offers affordable advertising for any small business owner, there is something there of interest to all women (and many men), of all ages and locations.
Jean Cassidy, Jane Hatley, and Va Boyle at the Chocolate Lounge
Here’s Part I of the interview:
Oops50: Why did you all decide to build Sheville into the kind of site it is today, with all of its interesting articles and topics?
Jean: Well, it’s never been a money thing. I used to feel really lonely when I looked at women’s magazines, dealing with stuff like breast implants and liposuction—which have never been my reason for being. I knew that women have marvelous intelligences, so I thought, ‘how can we not focus on this together?’ I wanted a place where we could join articles on sustainability with ones on women’s education, women’s businesses—things that make life deeper, much richer, things that are ‘life’s blood’ for women.
Oops50: So sustainability is a big part of your focus?
Va: Yes! And I have always been interested in conservation. I grew up, after all, in a household with a Victory Garden! (more…)
