Hot off the press, now is the time to grab your copy of the newest edition of Franklin Living.

When we were putting together this issue, we soon realized it would feature stories of three strong women in Franklin County. With International Women’s Day falling this month, the timing was perfect.

Although we perhaps most often think of the women we love in May with the annual recurrence of Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day provides another opportunity – March 8 of each year – to celebrate the “social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women,” according to the observance’s website. With its roots dating back to the early 1900s, International Women’s Day is a long-standing tradition in America and around the world.

This edition of Franklin Living turns the spotlight Elva Lou Stidham, Cassie Goodwin and Emily Beason.

One of the oldest matriarchs in Franklin County, Phil Campbell’s Stidham passed away Sunday – a week before her 104th birthday. Prior to her passing, we were privileged to chat with Elva Lou and her daughter Jane to share the story of a life well-lived and well-loved.

Among career women in Franklin we find Cassie Goodwin – an English teacher by day and a travel agent by night. Goodwin discovered her passion in planning trips for friends and family with her business, Joyous Adventures. Find out more about why she enjoys coordinating beautiful travel experiences – at no cost to her clients.

Out on the farm, East Franklin’s Emily Beason is another career woman of Franklin County, putting her medical education to work caring for horses and pets in need. It’s not typical veterinary work that’s her calling; Beason performs animal acupuncture and chiropractic, and she shares why these two medical practices, while perhaps less common, can be so beneficial for the animals we love.

These are just three of the women across Franklin County who, each in their own way, play such a crucial role in making our local communities what they are.

Who are the important women in your life? What impact have they made on your world? As you enjoy these stories of strong Franklin County women, we hope you will also take the time to tell the women in your story what they mean to you.

Of course, along with these features, this issue of Franklin Living brings all your usual favorite departments, with timely advice from our columnists and a few tantalizing springtime recipes from Amy Gunderman.

Enjoy this edition of Franklin Living! You can read the online edition here or pick up a copy at the Franklin County Times office.