March marks Women’s History Month, a time to honor the meaningful contributions of women throughout history. At MetroParks of Butler County, we’re excited to celebrate the women who have shaped our parks and recreation system, from the early pioneers who advocated for public green spaces to our current employees and volunteers who continue to make our parks welcoming and inclusive for all. In this post, we will highlight a few notable women in MetroParks’ history, sharing their stories and contributions to the green spaces in Butler County. We invite you to celebrate and learn with us this Women’s History Month…and all year long!

Abigail Wilkinson

Our story begins with Abigail Wilkinson, one of the first pioneer women to settle near Indian Creek in the early 1800s. Originally from New Jersey, Abigail divorced her first husband, John Van Nest, in 1802. Soon after her divorce, Abigail changed her last name and traveled to Butler County with her children in a likely attempt to escape Van Nest.

Known for her strength and selflessness, Abigail worked as a midwife, doctored the sick, and assisted the Butler County community wherever possible. She later married Gideon Wilkinson, and they had several children together. Abigail and Gideon became members of the Indian Creek Regular Baptist Church during its formative years. Today, the Indian Creek Regular Baptist Church is known as Pioneer Church in Indian Creek MetroPark.

Abigail lived to the age of 64 and was buried near the church with her husband. We continue to recognize her notable contributions to Butler County history today.

Anne Jantzen

Our next featured woman is Anne Jantzen, a founding member of the Friends of Chrisholm. The Friends of Chrisholm began in 1995 to collaborate with MetroParks of Butler County in preserving and sharing the region’s Amish Mennonite and farming history. Located in Madison Township, the Chrisholm Historic Farmstead, now a park within MetroParks of Butler County, is a remnant of a once-thriving Amish agricultural community. As a nonprofit, The Friends of Chrisholm helped MetroParks restore the farmstead, including its barn, house, and cemetery. They have undertaken several other projects as well, including the creation of award-winning demonstration gardens and interpretive signage for the farm.

Anne noted that she became passionate about joining the Friends of Chrisholm when she learned of another notable woman in MetroParks history, Otelia Augsberger. Otelia’s ancestors were the original settlers of the Chrisholm farmstead after immigrating from France. However, Otelia herself made several great achievements as a woman in the early 1900’s, earning her degree from Western College in Oxford, as well as being named American Mother of the Year.

Anne also mentioned the importance of a few other women to the Chrisholm farm, including Doris L. Page, Marie Johns, and JoAnn Howell, who worked to transfer the property from CG&E (now Duke Energy) to MetroParks.

From raising money for a handicap-accessible restroom in the house, to bringing a Smithsonian exhibit to the farm, Anne has much to be proud of during her 27 years serving on the Friends of Chrisholm Board. Today, she continues to serve as an advisor to the board, helping to improve conservation, education, accessibility, and recreation throughout the park system.

She also currently serves on the Pioneer Church Committee, which works with MetroParks to help maintain the property at Indian Creek MetroPark. Both her parents were involved with the committee, as well as several other families in Butler County. She notes two other women, Esther Benzing and Jessie Gillespie, who were instrumental in saving the Indian Creek property and transferring it to MetroParks. Interested in learning more about the history of Pioneer Church? Click here to access historic records which Anne helped transcribe in partnership with Miami University’s library.

Jackie O’Connell

And so, we are brought to the present. Meet Jackie O’Connell, the first female Executive Director at MetroParks of Butler County. It’s not surprising that Jackie has been involved with the outdoors and recreation most of her life. From community centers to municipal parks and even to a produce stand, Jackie has consistently searched for purpose in her work, focusing on the educational, social, and health impacts. It made her role at MetroParks the perfect fit. In fact, Jackie notes how Butler County felt like home, reminding her of where she grew up in west central Ohio. She remembers how excited she was to take on this new role, ready to work with community members to elevate the green spaces within the county.

Since her start with MetroParks in 2021, Jackie’s accomplishments have been many. What she is most proud of in her role, however, is changing the culture. She notes how she helped foster collaboration within MetroParks and with the communities it serves. In doing this, she began looking at MetroParks through an equity lens, encouraging all departments within the organization to do the same. She consistently asks, “How can we make people’s lives better?” The answer? Be a resource in the community, helping members understand and care for the environment and ecosystems around them. “At the end of the day,” she notes, “everyone has a part in the MetroParks mission.”

But the journey to where she is today wasn’t always straightforward and simple. She’s been outnumbered by males in the room more times than once, she jokes. Building trust and breaking down barriers between employees could be difficult. However, she notes the importance of women to the MetroParks community. “At our core, women are natural caretakers,” she says, “we want to solve problems while looking out for the benefit of all people.” This translates perfectly to MetroParks’ role in the community.

When it comes to the future of MetroParks of Butler County, Jackie talks about the commitment to touch everyone in the community in a positive way. “Whether it’s coming into the classroom or keeping our water cleaner, at MetroParks, we don’t want to live in a vacuum,” she says, “We want to live with people in the community, not apart from it.”

Addy Werling

Addy is a senior at Miami University in Oxford with a major in marketing. She recently joined the MetroParks team as an intern in the summer of 2022. With a love for writing and connecting with others, she has helped MetroParks in the creation of their very first blog, Footprints. Although she had only set foot in one MetroPark when she began, she is excited to explore new green spaces here in Butler County and showcase them on the blog. Beyond her work, Addy enjoys spending time outside, camping, running, hiking, and playing with her dog, Max. She appreciates you taking the time to read her content on the blog and hopes that through this platform, we all can find a renewed gratitude for the outdoors.

awerling@yourmetroparks.net