2010 Woman of the Year: Sherry Armstead

The YWCA Hamilton, serving Butler County, is proud to honor Sherry Armstead as the 2010 Woman of the Year. For many years, the Liberty Township resident has been instrumental in the community development arena for Butler County, whether for the church or community. Sherry does much of her work with her “all time best” friend, her husband of almost 30 years, Lou. She says, “he allows me to be me.” She says he is the perfect husband who has always loved and supported her sometimes crazy ideas and non-stop work ethic. They also love traveling, especially the opportunity to look for that next interesting piece of handcrafted artwork. Most people know Sherry as the owner/artist at Art on Symmes in Fairfield, a business she established in 2002. She decided to leave her life in real estate to follow her passion: creating art. With the ever present support of her husband she opened the doors to Art On Symmes. The business has grown to represent over 350 American artists. In 2007, Art On Symmes was recognized as one of Home Accents Magazine’s “Top 50 Retail Stars.” Sherry has always had a passion for community activities and fund raising. She finds the YWCA Dove House closest to her heart because of pastlife experiences. After hearing the Dove House’s Director, Fran Reese, along with two clients, make a presentation to United Way Women’s Initiative members, it just seemed the direction for her fund raising talents.

Over the years Sherry has been involved in many capacities including: establishing a Festival of Trees Fund at the Hamilton Community Foundation, which supported the YWCA’s Dove House in 2008 and 2009. Keeping with her passion for art, she arranged the first indoor Art Fair during the Hamilton City of Sculpture’s Ice Fest. She also established The Village Green Art Fair with the City of Fairfield, which will celebrate its seventh event in June 2010. Sherry also created the Famous Faces Charity Auction in June 2003 to aid a welfare-to-work mother of eight in obtaining decent affordable housing, counseling, and job opportunities. She has played a role with the Butler County United Way as a board member with the Women’s Initiative 2005-2008 and as a board member for the 2007 Campaign. Sherry has also used her talents as a member of the Fairfield Women’s group and the Fairfield Kiwanis. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton City of Sculpture. Despite being busy in the community and helping others, Sherry and her husband Lou cherish the time spent with their five children: Michele, Steve, Debbie, Suzanne and Preston, and a house full of grandchildren.