Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee
Women of Achievement 1994 DETERMINATION for a woman who solved a glaring problem despite widespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Shera Bie Shera Bie was an elementary school teacher in 1968 when her eight-year-old daughter was diagnosed with learning disabilities. She soon joined the fledgling Memphis Association for Children with Learning Disorders — and …
Women of Achievement 1992 DETERMINATION for a woman who solved a glaring problem despite widespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Dorothy “Happy” Jones Dorothy Snowden “Happy” Jones was a Memphis homemaker with three daughters and a full slate of volunteer work centered around the Republican Party and the Junior League in the mid-1960s. She …
Women of Achievement 1993 INITIATIVE for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Edith Kelly-Green Edith Kelly grew from her grandmother’s house in Oxford, Mississippi to a position in senior management at Federal Express. Along the way, she is paving the road into corporate America for future …
Women of Achievement 1991 INITIATIVE for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Franketta Guinn In January 1984, at age 37, Franketta Guinn left her secure job with Shelby County Health Care Center to start Metro Home Health Care. Originally employing three people, the business now employs …
Women of Achievement 1990 INITIATIVE for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Elaine Lee Turner and Joan Lee Nelson Late one night in 1983, Elaine Lee Turner and Joan Lee-Nelson sat up discussing the fact that African-American children in Memphis did not know their own history. …
Women of Achievement 1989 INITIATIVE for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Carol Coletta From writing assistant in the Sports Information Office at Memphis State University to president of Coletta Brewer & Company, Inc., Carol Coletta has successfully made a journey through the business world that …
Women of Achievement 1994 COURAGE for a woman who, facing active opposition, backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Georgia King Georgia Anna King has walked through hurricanes, disregarded barricades on the steps of our nation’s capital, and captured microphones from guards to give voice to the homeless. In 1989, she was one …
Women of Achievement 1991 COURAGE for a woman who, facing active opposition, backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Rita Underhill In 1985, at a time when few people understood or even knew about the disease, Rita Underhill learned that her younger brother Max had AIDS. He called from New York to tell …
Women of Achievement 1989 COURAGE for a woman who, facing active opposition, backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Josephine Burson Josephine W. Burson, the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants was taught by her parents that America is the land of freedom and opportunity and that there is an open door for everyone. Josie’s …
Women of Achievement 1992 HEROISM for a woman whose heroic spirit was tested and shown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond: Viola Harris McFerren When Viola Harris came to Fayette County to attend high school in 1947 she saw that education for blacks was separate and unequal. Materials were outdated, facilities …