Welcome!
Women of Achievement, Inc. was founded in 1984 by a group of women dedicated to honoring the extraordinary women who have made Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee better through their lives and accomplishments. The coalition of diverse civic and professional groups and support agencies organizes events to recognize and celebrate these women.
40 Years saluting women’s history.
THEN – NOW – ALWAYS
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
Coming on March 30, 2025: the 39th Women of Achievement awards celebrating history-making women of Memphis and Shelby County or women whose achievements are centered in Shelby County.
So — now is the time to nominate the amazing women in your life! Use this form here. New nominations or updates to earlier ones are due by Jan. 10, 2025.
Founded in 1984, Women of Achievement volunteers have produced awards celebrations every year except during COVID. Essays about 278 individuals and three groups are archived here on our website and in three published books, documenting and preserving women’s role in local history. Nominees for Courage, Initiative, Determination, Vision and Steadfastness must be current residents of Shelby County or their work must be centered in Shelby County. Heritage nominees must have been residents of Memphis or Shelby County. No residence restrictions apply in the Heroism category.
Women of Achievement membership is open to all. WA members participate in and co-chair the seven selection committees that choose finalists for the annual awards in January.
To order the book series which highlights the first 30 years of Women of Achievement, call 901-378-3866.
Looking for one of our Women of Achievement Honorees? Search our database:
Memphis Women’s Legacy Trail
The Memphis Women’s Legacy Trail is a project to document, remember, and celebrate the women of Memphis, Tennessee that have made a lasting impact on the city through their work and lives. Compiled by Dr. Beverly Bond, Dr. Margaret Caffrey, Judy Card, Deborah Clubb, Dr. Gail Murray, Jimmy Ogle, and Laura Todd, the brochure and information is the first of its kind in Memphis. Our goal is to raise funds to expand the project in hopes to share the stories, history, and vision of these remarkable Memphis women.
Click here to learn more about the Memphis Women’s Legacy Trail.
Read 35 years of WA essays honoring 257 women and two groups or tour the new Memphis Women’s Legacy Trail from the safety of your personal car – all of this can be found here on our website.
JOIN or RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Using this Donate button you can make your Women of Achievement dues payment online. More membership information can be found by clicking the button below.
