March is Women’s History Month, an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women in history and society. During the month, the Salisbury Post is reflecting on local figures of women’s history and how they have shaped the history of Rowan County, making it the place it is today.

One such woman, Dr. Shirley P. Ritchie, played a significant role in education serving as an advocate for both it and human rights. After serving as a social worker, she became a school counselor, teacher, an innovator in open education and an instructor and program director for the Early Childhood Gifted Project at UNC-Charlotte. 

Ritchie was very active with Smart Start, Rowan Partnership for Children and spearheaded establishing both the Partners in Learning Child Development and Family Resource Center and the St. John’s Child Development Center.

The Rowan Partnership for Children honored her as the first recipient of the Champion for Young Children Award which is now named for her. 

Along with her passion for education, Ritchie held the community in the same regard as she provided leadership for multiple nonprofit organizations. She has been the recipient of a long list of awards, many from Catawba College where she served on the faculty as professor of education until her retirement in 1993 and was a member of the college’s board of trustees.

Ritchie, who died in 2015, was married to her husband of 64 years, Raymond Cecil Ritchie, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she was a lifetime member. They have three children, Cliff, Mark and Celia.

If you have a photo to share or a story to tell illustrating Women’s History Month, please email editor Chandler Inions at chandler.inions@salisburypost.com.