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8 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9 LOVING MACON INTO GREATNESS "A community is not loved because it becomes great; a community becomes great because it is loved." Mayor Robert Reichert spoke these words in his address to 500 community good doers attending the recent Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce State of the Community meeting. A gift from his colleague, Macon-Bibb County Manager Keith Moffett, the quote is framed on his office wall. And it was clear in his enthusiastic, at times fiery (which I loved), speech that many are putting in the love our community requires and he urged us all to continue. Mayor Reichert's countless stories that day validated the work of our people loving this community into greatness. In that vein, I think there is a validation theme happening among women around here. e more I work and listen, I find women of various generations and backgrounds craving the stories of professional fears and personal gains and everything in between. When a shared story resonates with us, we feel more empowered to get back to the work and life we were born to do. Women in our community are validating each other into greatness. If you're into real stories of the dedicated work being done by women in our business community, you will appreciate reading the stories of success – and the challenges that come with it – shared in our Women in Business profiles, and in the stories featuring smart business women gracing this issue. If you're inspired by the arts, flip the pages to find an array of reasons that our arts scene in Central Georgia is burgeoning. e 14th annual Macon Arts Alliance Fired Works pottery show and the plans for the Macon-Bibb County Cultural Masterplan prove that arts matter in our communities. e Chamber and our business leaders agree: When our creative culture thrives, the entire community prospers. Let's continue to affirm our arts. Our shared stories breed more success, respect and love. If we want to perpetuate the good that is happening here, I urge us all to listen, show up and support it. All of us doing the work to love our city and region into greatness deserve our support. As I have heard Mayor Reichert say to the supporting women in his life: You go, girl! Susannah C. Maddux susannah@maconmagazine.com E D I T O R ' S L E T T E R m Susannah and Mayor Reichert at the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce State of the Community meeting. Photo by Leah Yetter.