For the Cumberland Times-News
MCHENRY — The Garrett County Commission For Women will honor Nancy K. Learey and Brenda Snyder Brosnihan on April 5 as they are inducted into the Women’s Hall Of Fame. The breakfast event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Dutch’s at Silver Tree on Glendale Road. Reservations are required.
This is the 20th anniversary of recognizing women who have made a difference to the people of Garrett County. The Commission For Women has been active in advocating for girls’ and women’s issues since its inception.
Learey has been in Garrett County for more than five decades. Originally from Philadelphia and the Eastern Shore, she attended Western Maryland College, now known as McDaniel College. She was a teacher and guidance counselor at Southern Middle School, then taught chorus at Southern High School.
As a passion, Learey has changed the way music and musicians are viewed in Garrett County. She was the founding director of the Garrett Choral Society, where she served as its director for 27 years. Learey insisted on the involvement of youth in most all of her productions. She is directly responsible for attracting nationally acclaimed artists such as Michael Horton, Jim Tong and Nancy Turrentine, who now call Garrett County home.
Brosnihan is a 1978 graduate of Southern High School. She attended Frostburg State where she studied health and physical education. She opened Brenda’s Body Shop in Oakland in 1980 and has impacted thousands of local students who have attended her classes. Brosnihan is a dedicated, equal opportunity educator who encourages movement, health and positivity without boundaries based on age, abilities or health issues.
