Sheila Ingle, author of the Hub City book Courageous Kate: A Daughter of the American Revolution, has received the 2007 Historic Preservation Award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This award recognizes individuals with exceptional contributions to historic preservation.

Ann Salley Crider, National American Heritage chairman of the DAR, presented Ingle with her award at the South Carolina State Conference of the South Carolina Society of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution in Columbia. Ingle also received a plaque praising Courageous Kate as "a children's book for all ages." 

A fictional biography for young adults, Courageous Kate is the compelling story of a heroine and a young mother who rode out from her Spartanburg County backcountry home to warn Patriot militias of enemies on the move. Kate Moore Barry served as a scout and a spy and is credited with helping Gen. Daniel Morgan defeat the British at the Battle of Cowpens, a turning point in the war for independence.

Sheila Ingle is a graduate of Converse College and an adjunct instructor at USC Upstate, where she teaches both English and education. Courageous Kate, published in December 2006 by the Hub City Writers Project, is her first book.

Ingle weaves together history, folklore and fiction to create a memorable story about three generations of Scots-Irish settlers who built a life in the wilderness of the South Carolina Upcountry during the 1700s. Illustrated by John Ingle, Courageous Kate tells riveting stories of Kate's encounters with cruel Tories and of the day she tied her youngest child to a bedpost so she could ride out to alert Patriot militiamen about gunfire at her parent's nearby home.

Upon receiving the 2007 Historic Preservation Award, Ingle said, "Kate Barry loved her family and home; she was willing to protect both. The DAR promotes the remembrance of the men and women who fought for American independence ... this is an honor and thrilling achievement for me."