Women's History Month at Appalachian Wildlife

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we here at Appalachian Wildlife Refuge are reflecting on the significant impacts our female staff, interns, and volunteers have made in the name of wildlife conservation. Appalachian Wildlife Refuge as we know it today would not exist if not for the dedicated work of these individuals. From delivering life saving treatment, managing expenses, to preparing daily meals for patients, these women willingly give their time and energy to protect the treasured wildlife of Western North Carolina. 
Over the past month, we asked some of our team members, a team comprised of predominantly women, to reflect on their experiences. 

Savannah Trantham, Co-Founder and Executive Director
How long have you been with Appalachian Wild?
It began as a wee dream in my head more than 20 years ago.

How is being a woman in your field?
In wildlife rehabilitation it is predominately women so it feels safe and powerful. We are coming together to make a difference in the world. In the big picture of science - because wildlife biology is part of that big picture - we are still a minority. When I was first getting into the field of wildlife care, I had a senior staff member at the place I was working tell me that "wildlife rehabilitation was nothing more than a way to pacify the human emotion and that it was otherwise pointless." I was taken back significantly that our native wildlife coming into situations caused by humans could be discarded so easily by people and organizations and institutions that otherwise claim to hold them on a pedestal and protect them. Needless to say it was powerful enough of a statement that it scarred itself into my heart and it is probably the moment that I was determined to fight for our native wildlife in need and create a place for them. I think we spend a lot of time continuing to teach our community why our work is important so they care and do something, but we also as wildlife rehabilitators continue to have to advocate and defend why the work we do is so important to the bigger picture pertaining to population management, ecology, habitat management, and more. Is that because it is viewed as more of an emotion driven field over stats and data? Maybe. But the field has come a long way in the last 20 years and we have a number of people and organizations that are making some significant contributions to the big picture with data and stats and I think that will only continue to evolve. And woman are driving it!
 
Do you have a woman you respect in your field and why do you respect them for their contributions?
This is such a hard question to answer! I think when people think about women in wildlife conservation most people immediately think of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, possibly Biruté Galdikas and Temple Grandin, Rachel Carson, Margaret Murie and Celia Hunter. The list can go on and on of the women that land the foundation for women in the wildlife and conservation fields. Every single one of them left tremendous impressions on the field. I have tremendous respect for all of the woman who carved the paths to permit future generations to continue their work and expand. When I really think about this question though, I am most humbled and have deep admiration for all of those woman who aren't the first ones that pop in someone's head. The ones that don't have articles written about them that pop up on Google. The ones that have poured their heart and souls into their work to make a difference for wildlife. The ones that have sacrificed family and friends, good paying jobs, luxury, and more to make a difference in the world for wildlife and wild places. The woman who are the driving forces behind the projects and the teams out there cleaning water ways, planting trees, installing nest boxes, and picking up trash. The ones that are losing sleep to figure out how to pinch the pennies and run non-profits on a shoe string budget. The ones carrying the weight on their shoulders and charging forward. Those are the woman in this field that hold my up most respect. 

Alli Rudisill, Husbandry Technician
How long have you been with Appalachian Wild?
I have been with App Wild since 2014, before we even had a facility! 

How is being a woman in your field?
Being a woman in this field of wildlife rehabilitation, animal husbandry, and veterinary medicine is something that I am proud of. As all of these fields were originally dominated by males and people that will tell you that you can’t or couldn’t do it and now to be surrounded with so many women in this profession that are so encouraging, friendly, and empowering is something I will forever be thankful for. There is such a large community of women in this profession that will always be a friend, one to get advise from, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to encourage and cheer you on in the successes even if they are small to you. This profession isn’t easily a lot of the time but the small victories, successful cases, and women that encourage you and help continue your passion makes it so rewarding! 

Do you have a woman you respect in your field and why do you respect them for their contributions?
The women that I’m inspired by on a daily basis within this field are numerous, but the most influential in my life has been Savannah, our executive director and co-founder. I grew up alongside of Savannah so my childhood was filled with wildlife and livestock and made me who I am today. Watching Savannah take her lifelong dream of having her own nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center and seeing it where it is today inspires me to keep going and follow my dreams! I truly wouldn’t be where I am today and in the field that I am pursuing without Savannah, App Wild, and all the amazing women that I get to work with and those in the field!

Kelsey McCarter, Development Coordinator
How long have you been with Appalachian Wild?
I've been with Appalachian Wild since May 16, 2023.

How is being a woman in your field?
I love being a woman in any field that has historically been regarded as a male field. It feels powerful to prove that women can not only do hard work but can absolutely dominate it (and often perform way better than men-- haha!).

Do you have a woman you respect in your field and why do you respect them for their contributions?
To be fair, this is my first job in this field, so we work with most of the women I know in this field. Still, my answer to this is totally Savannah, and I'm not even trying to suck up. I truly never respected a boss before her, and I've worked under men and women alike. I've never been inspired by a boss before her to be a better employee and to consider my job as a role in society rather than just a job, and she has done this for me since my initial interviews and every day since. I find it remarkable how much she has on her plate, and it's almost all devoted to acts of service for other people, animals, and her community as a whole. She embodies the kind of good-person-service-focused lifestyle that I admire and strive to enact, and she makes it look easy. I probably would have buckled early under the pressure that she's withstood for so many years, yet anytime anyone needs anything she steps up and somehow adds even more hours to her day. She makes everyone feel important and needed, and to top it all off, her skills in this field are quite extensive and proven, and she can communicate her knowledge with anyone with ease. I feel all this strongly enough that I've told her some of it, and I've also nominated her for various awards regarding these things, unbeknownst to her. I am deeply grateful that she gave me this opportunity despite not having worked in this field before, and I'm even more thankful that she allowed me to continue being part of the Appalachian Wild team even though I had to move. I know I'm not the only person who feels similarly, and I think her story could inspire many.

Cassie Sweetland, Husbandry Technician
How long have you been with Appalachian Wild?
I started as a baby volunteer about 5 years ago!

How is being a woman in your field?
I don’t have much experience in my prospective field yet but so far I am grateful to be in a field and time that has so many wonderful women who support each other.

Do you have a woman you respect in your field and why do you respect them for their contributions?
There are so many amazing and influential women I respect and admire in my prospective field and who I first think of is my mom. Like I am now, she was a stem major in college, and is continuing to succeed in her field. She has given me so many amazing opportunities and has shown me that being a woman doesn’t get to damper what I want to pursue as a career.

Elaine Bailey-Anderson, Board Member
How long have you been with Appalachian Wild?
I’ve volunteered with Appalachian Wild since February 2024 and became a Board member in July 2024. It’s been an incredible experience that deepened my love for wildlife and conservation. From bottle-feeding tiny orphaned squirrels to learning how to care for bats, every day brings something meaningful. Being part of this team allows me to give back to the animals and the people working so hard to protect them.
How is being a woman in your field?
In both wildlife conservation and leadership coaching, being a woman means showing up with heart, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. At Appalachian Wild, I see so many strong, dedicated women working tirelessly to save animals, educate the public, and fight for conservation efforts. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by people who lead with both passion and action.
In my coaching work, I encourage people - especially those in transition - to trust their instincts, embrace their strengths, and take action that aligns with their true selves. Whether in business or wildlife rehab, women bring a unique blend of intuition, tenacity, and care that truly makes a difference.
Do you have a woman you respect in your field, and why do you respect them for their contributions?
Jane Goodall has been a guiding light for me. She didn’t just study chimpanzees - she changed the way we understand and relate to the natural world. What I admire most is her unwavering commitment - not just to science, but to education, conservation, and action.
She’s a brilliant example of a woman who sees the bigger picture and knows that true change comes from teaching, inspiring, and empowering others to care. I strive to do this in my coaching work and my role at Appalachian Wild. She proves that one person’s passion can create a movement, this gives me hope every day.



It takes a steady, unwavering hand to do this kind of work. Appalachian Wildlife Refuge would like to sincerely thank all of the women currently on our team and those from years past. Your kindness and strength is the fire that fuels our non-profit. We are profoundly grateful for your continued support!