Firestarter Gwen Akers Lights Sparks in the Community
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
“One tiny flame could make so many other flames; one tiny flame could set afire a whole world.” Anne Rice
Did you know it only takes a spark to get a fire going? Fires can be dangerous, yet some are worth burning. This is the case for 19 year old Ashland native Gwen Akers, who is blazing a trail for Kentucky and our area through her writing. Akers was recently awarded the 2023 Kentucky Foundations for Women Firestarter Award. This award “honors artists ages 18 to 25 who are taking risks in the creation of new art, involved in social justice/community engagement, and who demonstrate a developing feminist voice, including new insights and visions and/or fresh approaches to feminist topics or art for social change.”
Akers is a sophomore English Education major with a minor in Spanish at Morehead State University and a 2022 graduate of Paul Blazer High School. In addition to getting her degree, Akers also writes for the Morehead Trail Blazer and The Ashland Beacon. She enjoys writing fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. Akers was selected as a 2023 Firestarter “for her work writing on topics such as Appalachia, heritage, family connection, rural communities, connection to place and mental health. She has had work published in Still: The Journal, and also has a piece forthcoming in an anthology from Fireside Industries focused on the devastating flooding in Eastern Kentucky.”
Akers was nominated by her former professor and mentor, Amy Richardson. Richardson praised Akers, “I met Gwen at the inaugural Ironwood Writers Studio at the Hindman Settlement School in June 2022. She stood out to me through her efforts to ensure the weeklong experience was exemplary for every member of the community of younger writers built during that time. I was fortunate to see her come to MSU as a freshman the following fall where I was teaching, and then move into an internship with the Ashland Beacon where she has written some beautiful articles highlighting happenings across the region. Gwen’s eagerness to step in where she is needed and enthusiasm to promote good things happening in our Appalachian community demonstrate what a gem she is. It was such an honor and pleasure to nominate her for a KFW Firestarter Award and a true joy to learn she won. Being able to acknowledge and celebrate a young person who is stepping up to advocate and fight for our region is one of the best moments of my life.”
Karen Scalf, who was Akers’ high school English teacher, saw the potential Akers had with writing. Scalf stated, “Gwen Akers was a true joy as a high school writing student of mine. She is the perfect combination of persistent and talented. She is so deserving of this Firestarter writing award and will carry the mantle well for young Appalachian writers. When I was on Spring Break a few years ago, I saw the information for the inaugural Ironwood Writer’s Workshop for young teen writers at esteemed Hindman Settlement school and immediately contacted Gwen. She was accepted and flourished there. I expect she will continue to embark on important creative endeavors while always giving back to her community. She is a fantastic writer and a wonderful young woman. As her former writing teacher, I am delighted in her accomplishments this far. Gwen Akers is a determined and delightful writer and human being.”
Akers’ spark for writing happened at an early age. Akers remarked, “Writing has been a part of my life almost as long as I can remember. I love the flexibility and freedom of writing--its ability to tell stories but also craft us a window into another world (or give us a closer look at our own). Truly, I just love stories. I love hearing and writing about the stories that are all around me, and delving deeper into the rich history, ancestry, and imagination of our area.”
Akers’ passion for storytelling and the people around her have made her writing stronger. Akers’ expressed her gratitude for being selected for the Firestarter Award, “To be selected for this award was truly amazing for me. This has opened up so many connections and relationships that I cannot wait to explore. I was invited to attend the Kentucky Foundation for Women's Day in Louisville, Ky. At the celebration, I was able to meet and talk with several other young artists and mentors. I am so grateful to be a part of a community of budding and blossomed artists all across Kentucky. I am grateful to have been selected to represent my area and my home--and I hope that I can continue to do so!”
Akers clearly wants to make a difference. That small spark has become a burning flame shining brightly for others to see. Congratulations Gwen Akers on your writing achievements.