Ansleigh Cagle: A young wife, mother & Rotarian with a heart for service and worldwide relationships
By Barbara Myers Myers Mason APR

When Allen Bowns decided to join Rotary more than 28 years ago, his daughter Ansleigh was just a twinkle in his eye. Today, she is a member of the Rotary Club of Johns Creek where she serves as the club’s Youth Services Chair, RYLA Coordinator, and on the District Interact Team.

Although she became an “official” Rotarian in May 2022, Cagle has been "Rotarying" since she was born. She has been to multiple district 6910 conferences and to several GRSP conclaves. Her family has hosted five GRSP students from around the world. She has relationships with many GRSP students which she feels “will last a lifetime.”

Welcoming GRSP Inger-Johanne Botterud from Norway to the United States in August 2022

Cagle recalls, “As a child, I would clean up McGinnis Ferry Road with the Rotary Club of Johns Creek and stamped dictionaries to give to fourth grade students in Forsyth County.” She was in the Interact Club at North Forsyth High School where she helped raise “Pennies for Polio” and collected clothes to donate to The Place of Forsyth County.

Interact Club at North Forsyth High School 2012 Homecoming Parade Float

A heart for worldwide connections and service was formed early. “Rotary is a part of me and my heart,” she said, “and has given me more than I can give in return – GRSP sisters and brothers, opportunities to become a better leader, connections with important people in the community, and chances to help give back to people less fortunate than me.”

For Cagle, Rotary is a family affair. Her dad, sister and brother-in-law are all Rotarians and her mom is the sponsor teacher for her club’s Early Act Club at the school where she teaches.

EarlyAct work day at Chattahoochee Elementary School

“When I got married in 2018, all three of the GRSP students we had hosted at that point from Sweden, Brazil and Columbia returned to the United States to attend my wedding. When my sister got married in 2022, our two new GRSP students from South Africa and Norway attended her wedding. That’s family.”

3 GRSP students returning to the US for Ansleigh's wedding in September 2018. Pictured (l to r): Nicolle Serrano (Columbia), Derek & Ansleigh Cagle, Govanna Rosa Perin de Marchi (Brazil), Anna Malvina Svennung and her husband Petter Liungstrom (Sweden)

Cagle recalls that when she was about 12 years old, her dad sat her and her two siblings down for a talk. “He explained that not everyone was as fortunate as we were. Some kids didn’t eat when they went home from school. Some kids couldn’t play sports because their parents could not afford for them to. Some kids have never been on a vacation or even left the country.”

She said, “That conversation sticks with me to this day. I decided that any time I can help someone, I will to the best of my ability.”

Cagle was an active volunteer in high school – building roofs for people who experienced hurricanes in Puerto Rico, passing out food to hungry families and caring for children in Slovakia, and installing roofs for those in need in Franklin, North Carolina.

“These efforts shaped who I am as a Rotarian today,” she said.

She was attracted to her club as it sends a team to build roofs in Puerto Rico. In addition, she said, “As a mother, it is important to me to give back, support and better the community in which I am raising my children.”

Her club has sponsored literacy kits that go directly to Title I schools in Forsyth County, one that her young children are districted to attend. “I can’t imagine not being able to feed my children dinner. I am grateful that my club packs meals at the United Way Day of Caring to help feed families in our area.”

She added, “As a new mother, I know the struggles and challenges of breastfeeding, and our club created and sponsors the Global Grant Mother’s Milk project that provides milk to babies in India.”

“I cannot imagine not being able to feed my family during summer break or provide school supplies to my children.” It gratifies her that her club sponsors and volunteers at The Place to help others in need of these items.

“I would say that my family and motherhood have really motivated me to be an active Rotarian.”

Cagle believes that Rotary has provided her with important connections as well. When she was pregnant with her second daughter, she turned to her Rotary family member, Marilyn Margolis, the CEO of Emory Johns Creek. Cagle said, “She was so helpful in making me and my husband feel safe leaving our daughter in the NICU to get the treatment she needed.”

Rotary allowed her to meet with Dr. Valery Lowe of the Rotary Club of South Forsyth who helped create the HERo’s Event, a woman’s empowerment happening for middle and high school students hosted by Forsyth County Schools and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Johns Creek and the Rotary Club of South Forsyth.

HERo's Event 2024 with some of the Johns Creek Club

“The event was jam packed with influential women from around the state who came to speak and encourage students to follow their dreams and go after their goals. It was a huge success and an example of how, if we work together, we can create great things to better our community,” she said.

“In addition, I want to make sure there are events like this that my daughters will be able to attend one day.”

Leadership Johns Creek graduation March 2023

Cagle was pleased that her club sponsored her to attend Leadership Johns Creek, a program that has motivated her to become a better leader.

“None of this would have been possible without Rotary,” she said.

Cagle earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2017 from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega and is working towards a master’s degree from Liberty University. She met her husband, Derek, at UNG, and they have two daughters, Ryleigh Beth, age two, and Teegan, seven months, and two dogs, Dawson and Lonnie. The family enjoys Braves games, UGA football games, lake days, and playing in the park. They also enjoy spending time with family, especially at Rotary events.

They recently participated in the Rotary Club of Dahlonega Sunrise’s Wimpy Mile Race, the Rotary Club of John’s Creek Gala, and the Rotary Club of North Forsyth’s The Big Deal Fundraiser. This busy volunteer, wife, and mom works as the office manager at Johns Creek Dental Care, her dad’s dental practice.

Ansleigh with her husband, Derek, Ryleigh Beth, and Teegan

 

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