b'in or doesnt have the skills, knowledge or capabilityspending 24 hours in solitude in the woods, a notion to hold a role such as mayor, maybe those notions arethat once frightened her. rampant,recognizesConwaysmayor.OnceIgetAtage60,theeldestoffivechildrenlearnedhow to interact with people, once I get to speak to whatstoswim,askillhersiblingshadalreadyconquered. important for the city that I represent, I think some ofPreviously having a fear of water, she can now teach that sort of goes away. others. What does remain intact in her mind is the loss of aBlain-Bellamyencouragesotherstobecourageous city of Conway firefighter who died in the line of dutyin accomplishing their dreams, saying, Put your foot merely a month after she was sworn into office. Sheout there, and when you get there, dont coward in a alsovividlyrecallsthefloodingthatresultedfromcorner. Speak up and let your voice be heard.storms like Matthew and Florence. Themayorsadvicetoprospectivemayorsistoget It(theflooding)tookatollonourcommunity,involved,andsurroundyourselfwithpeoplewho wiping out dozens of homes and several businesses,believe in you and who will invest in you. statesBlain-Bellamy.Itchangedlivesforever,but we were committed to our citizens to make sure theirWhetheraleaderfromthefrontroworinthe anguish did not continue. background,shesays,aleaderisthatpersonwho putstheirenergiesandtheirresourcesintodoing CONTINUED COURAGE something that makes the world a better place. Servingasthecitysassistantadministrator,cityMayorBarbaraJoBlain-Bellamyhasfoundher councilmember,attorneyandultimatelymayorcouragea place where her skills, creativity, cultivation arenttheonlyfacetsofBlain-Bellamyslifethatofcityemployees,andmotivationtoserveothers, have required courage. At age 55, the Conway nativeperfectly merge to build an even better Conway. says she went on her first hike, hiking five days and Follow IMARA WomanMagazine on Twitter!12IMARA'