By Lauren Kendall, Obion County Schools Communications Director
Troy, Tenn.–LeEllen Smith began OUTsideIN in 2013 in a metal building behind her house with the sewing machine she learned to use when she was 12 in response to an alarming rate of unemployment in Obion County — in excess of 11%. Her aim was to create jobs for women in our area who had been marginalized because of problems like addiction, incarceration, lack of education, or because they came from a background of poverty. The idea was to bring them from the OUTSIDE back IN to a healing-centered workplace where they could be trained, mentored, and encouraged.
In the course of almost 10 years, they have worked with over 25 women, helping empower them to overcome the circumstances in their lives. Her company now occupies a once empty 100-year-old store right on the town square in Troy where they handcraft fabric garment bags, tote bags, and handbags that are perfect for travel. They are “strong women on a journey making travel gear for yours.” Currently, they are making plans to expand to a residential program that will allow us to come alongside even more women and give them the opportunity to break free from the destructive cycles that have held them back.
LeEllen also wanted to take this opportunity to say this, “Receiving this honor has provided me with the perfect opportunity to say “thank you” to the Obion County School System for the education I received. When I went to college, I worried a little that I wasn’t prepared for college work. I think that’s common when you come from a rural area like ours. I soon realized my fears were unfounded when I was able to pass entrance tests that allowed me to skip Freshmen English altogether and my college Algebra teacher had me tutoring other students and told me there was no need for me to take the final exam. Knowing these things were NOT the result of my own natural giftedness, I quickly determined that I had, in fact, received an excellent education and that I was exceedingly prepared for higher education. I consider this a blessing and I am grateful for it. And while I am also grateful for this recognition, I am humbled by knowing that I was nominated by a fellow OCCHS graduate, Elizabeth Burton. You see, while I decided to start a social enterprise at age 50, Elizabeth decided to foster and then adopt 5 kids. Having four children of my own, one of whom is adopted, I can assure you that she is also an outstanding alumnus of the Obion County School System and is working hard to insure that those 5 kids will grow up to be as well. I appreciate this chance to say “thank you” to her and to this board for this very special honor.”
Obion County Schools would like to extend its gratitude to Higher Ground Coffee Co. for sponsoring this month’s Outstanding Alumni recognition and for donating a gift card for LeEllen!
Photo: From left, Lauren Kendall, Obion Co. Schools Communication Director, and LeEllen Smith.