On the 30th of January 2024, Women of Achievement welcomed and introduced our newest group of honorees.
The Women of Achievement honorees for 2024 are:
Courage: Vanessa Rodley and Jennifer Murry-Rodley, Mid-South Pride leaders
Determination: Phillis Lewis, founder and CEO, Love Doesn’t Hurt
Heritage: Madame Florence Cole Tolbert McCleave, barrier-breaking opera singer and educator
Initiative: Ellen Rolfes, philanthropy strategist and innovator
Steadfastness: Joy Brown Weiner, concert violinist, teacher, 40-year Memphis Symphony Orchestra concertmaster
Vision: Amy Moses and Sara Lynn Johnson Fultz, co-founders MOJO Pelvic Health
“The Meet and Greet was so fun! There was a great spread of wine and snacks, and I counted 20 of us in the room as Judy Card introduced herself and the Memphis Area Women’s Council, Women of Achievement and our 2024 honorees. She named our nominees, and read the definitions of each one of the categories after sharing the history of Women of Achievement. The 3 books were there on the table and Judy mentioned how it is important to document and share these stories. We were able to meet (and hear a brief hello from) honorees Phyllis Lewis, Amy Moses and Sara Lynn Johnson Fultz, and Ellen Rolfes. We all introduced ourselves and everyone shared how they found WA. Everyone mentioned how inspiring, encouraging, uplifting, the awards ceremony is, and I think everyone felt excited about the upcoming ceremony in March!”
– letter from Haley Kirksey Graham, board member of the Memphis Area Women’s Council.
Edit: On March 3, 2024, Pat Mitchell Worley, CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, hosted the awards ceremony in the spacious sanctuary of First Congregational Church in Memphis. The ceremony was a great success! Featuring performances by Handorf Company Artists from Opera Memphis, Kayla Oderah and Marquita Richardson, the ceremony was inspiring and exciting! Celebrating these women, sharing their stories, and documenting their achievements is important!
The 38th annual Women of Achievement celebration ceremony on March 3 was a great success!
Eight local women were celebrated for changemaking leadership on March 3, 2024 at the 38th Women of Achievement awards and celebration of National Women’s History month.
The Women of Achievement honorees for 2024 are:
Courage: Vanessa Rodley and Jennifer Murry-Rodley, Mid-South Pride leaders
Determination: Phillis Lewis, founder and CEO, Love Doesn’t Hurt
Heritage: Madame Florence Cole Tolbert McCleave, barrier-breaking opera singer and educator
Initiative: Ellen Rolfes, philanthropy strategist and innovator
Steadfastness: Joy Brown Wiener, concert violinist, teacher, 40-year Memphis Symphony
Orchestra concertmaster
Vision: Amy Moses and Sara Lynn Johnson Fultz, co-founders MOJO Pelvic Health
Pat Mitchell Worley, CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, hosted the awards ceremony in the spacious sanctuary of First Congregational Church on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
“This year’s honorees celebrate women who stand up and speak out – to empower women, to write the truth, to protect women’s health, for accessible arts education and for LGBTQIA+ rights and safety,” said co-founder Deborah Clubb, executive director of the Memphis Area Women’s Council. “They exhibit the integrity and tenacity, creativity and passion that make change and make history.”
