ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — This month we celebrate Women’s History, and we also highlight an important woman in Asheville’s history and the origins of a nationally recognized senior living community.
Mrs. Marion Givens (1887-1973) was a philanthropist and benefactor, who had an estate off Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville with her husband Dr. Maurice Givens. They were both generous and charitable people who throughout their lives donated to various colleges, universities and hospitals.
Following Dr. Maurice Givens’ passing in 1970 and in the final years of her life, Mrs. Givens became determined for the estate to be developed into a retirement community. After her passing, diligent efforts by regional civic and community leaders, the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Marion J. Givens Trust and others, brought that determination into reality.
A nonprofit was formed in 1975, leading to the creation of Givens Estates on the 160-acre estate Mrs. Givens donated. Her signature motivation came from a desire to see others in Western North Carolina be able to experience an active, meaningful retirement with support to maintain independence, as she had done.
Givens Estates is now one of four senior living communities in Western North Carolina that comprise Givens Communities, along with Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain, Givens Great Laurels in Waynesville and Givens Gerber Park in south Asheville. Home care and community-based services have been added with Givens Home First and Givens Choice. Community outreach by Givens Life Ministries assists more than 66,000 people with health disparities across the region every year.
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions, struggles and achievements in American history.