Category: Heroism

Women of Achievement
1988

HEROISM
for a woman whose heroic spirit was tested and
shown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond:

Nancy Hastings-Sehested

Despite the repeated refusal of the 14.6 million-member Southern Baptist Convention to approve the elevation of female ministers to the pastorate, Rev. Nancy Hastings Sehested continued to seek just such a role.

When finally asked to serve as pastor of Prescott Memorial Baptist Church in Memphis, she defended her commitment before a conference of the all-male Shelby County Baptist Association. She was expelled from its “fellowship.”

The 36-year-old Southern Baptist minister — and daughter and granddaughter of Southern Baptist ministers — was told by the Association that only men could preach the gospel. Rev. Sehested said, “What the Association told the world is that God can do all things except call a woman to preach. In my mind, it was an issue of the freedom of the Holy Spirit. And what the Association said was, ‘No.’”

More than 450 Southern Baptist women are ordained for the ministry, but only 11 serve as pastors or co-pastors. Prescott became the largest Southern Baptist Church headed by a woman and the first in Tennessee. Supportive letters and telegrams poured in from all over the country.

Nancy’s became one of THE stories in the United States in 1987. Major newspapers published stories about the dispute. More recently, she was featured in Bill Moyers’ documentary examining the denomination’s policies and politics.

Through it all, Nancy Sehested stood firm in her calling, in her commitment, in her right to serve her God. As one nominator wrote, she is a heroic example for today’s youth — and their parents also.

By early 1994, Nancy said, about 900 Southern Baptist women were ordained and 25 were serving as pastors or co-pastors. Most of them were serving tiny churches.

Nancy Hastings Sehested is now co-pastor of Circle of Mercy Congregation in Asheville, North Carolina.

WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
1987

HEROISM
for a woman whose heroic spirit was tested and
shown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond:

Frances Coe

While others of her generation busied themselves with lady-like traditions of the South to which they were born, Frances Edgar Coe stepped into the public arena in the 1940s as president of the Planned Parenthood Association and vice president of the League of Women Voters. In 1948 she moved into elective politics and worked in Estes Kefauver’s campaign for the U.S. Senate.

In 1955 this Vassar graduate and former teacher was one of 16 candidates in the first election for the Memphis City School Board after political control of it ended. She won a seat and found her lifelong niche.

She served on the Memphis Board of Education for 24 years.

Through segregation, dismantling of a dual school system, integration, the draining of support into a private segregated system and the beginning of a resurgence of support for the public system, she always fought not only for equal education but for superior education for all children. She was president in 1972 when the board reorganized from five to nine members and instituted court-ordered busing.

We honor Frances for her refusal to be shaken from her vision of fairness, for the stubbornness that sustained her through the years of meetings and long arguments when the notion of a fine education could have been lost in the divisive atmosphere of prejudice and discrimination.

For her heroic efforts to cause change toward a better future for our children, we salute Frances Coe.

WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
1986

HEROISM
for a woman whose heroic spirit was tested and
shown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond:

Nina Katz

Nina Katz is a survivor of the Holocaust and as such has spent her life working with special insight to combat racism, sexism and anti-Semitism. She shares her experiences during World War II with students across Memphis and Shelby County in the hopes that such tragic events will never again occur.

Nina has devoted 12 years striving to end illiteracy and the poverty that plagues non-reading adults. Her work is respected and honored nationally for her creative service to the cause of literacy.

In her own eloquent words, “As an eye witness to the European catastrophe, I came to realize at a very young age the importance of human survival. My love for humanity has been expressed through a strong feeling of commitment and deep dedication to my work in this community.”

Nina served as first female board chairperson for the Memphis Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. As a leader in Jewish women’s organizations, Jewish educational and cultural institutions, her skills in developing programs to enhance brotherhood and sisterhood among people of all races and faiths have been exemplary.

Nina Katz is a singular woman of valor and heroism.

Nina Katz had a hand in founding the Memphis Literacy Council, saving Facing History and Ourselves, and Diversity Memphis. She started an interracial, interfaith women’s discussion group called Coffee and Dialogue. Nina Katz passed away on February 8, 2014 at age 89.

In 2016 Nina Katz was chosen to be one of several prominent Memphians in the public artwork, Upstanders Mural, that is near the corner of Main Street and Huling Avenue.

WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
1985

HEROISM
for a woman whose heroic spirit was tested and
shown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond:

Arlene Stamm

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 23 years ago, Arlene Stamm wheeled herself to the center of the struggle for the rights of the disabled.

Even though she was in a wheelchair, this wife and mother of two, and a woman active in her synagogue, has used her innate abilities cheerfully and selflessly to enhance the lives of others.

Arlene was an instrumental partner in the formation of most every project undertaken by the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Easter Seals Foundation. According to a co-worker, she is a “walking encyclopedia” of community resources for the handicapped. As a volunteer with West Tennessee Talking Library, Arlene received the Volunteer of the Year Award. She also has served on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Disabled.

In the word of one of those who nominated her, Arlene Stamm “works tirelessly to assure access for the disabled to the richness of community life.” She is a person who loves life and heroically lives it to the fullest,  a woman whose own positive attitude lights all our lives.

Arlene was public relations specialist for the Northeast Alzheimer’s Consortium and consults with businesses on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Arlene Stamm passed away February 13, 2009 at age 70.