Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2024 HERITAGEfor women whose achievements still enrich our lives: Madame Florence Cole Talbert McCleave Florence Cole Talbert McCleave seemed to have all the ingredients for a successful career in opera: talent, desire, training, and critical acclaim. And while she briefly achieved her dream on European opera stages, she was unable to find the …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2024 DETERMINATIONfor a woman who solved a glaring problem despitewidespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Phillis Lewis When she was six or seven years old, Phillis Lewis saw her mother repeatedly injured by her mother’s boyfriend. Phillis was herself hurt, by the same man. That childhood trauma led Phillis, a loud and …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2024 COURAGEfor a woman who, facing active opposition,backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Jennifer Murry-Rodley and Vanessa Rodley Who doesn’t love a parade? Vanessa Rodley and wife Jennifer Murry-Rodley certainly do! They watched from the sidewalk at their first Pride parade in Memphis. Then in 2010 they became volunteers. In …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2024 VISIONfor a woman whose sensitivity to women’s needsled her to tremendous achievements for women: Amy Moses and Sara Lynn Johnson Fultz Menstrual cramps. Painful intercourse. Bowel incontinence. Urinary leakage. Vaginal dryness. These are “below the belt” subjects that we just don’t talk about but that have a tremendous impact on our quality …
Women of Achievement organization members and individual members reflect a diverse spectrum of Memphis women in races, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and interests. The list of award recipients each year reflects that same diversity. You can learn more about our diverse group of Women of Achievement Honorees through this index. Women of Achievement Honorees by Category: …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2023 HEROISMfor a woman whose heroic spirit was tested andshown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond: Jennifer Pepper As the United States Supreme Court prepared its opinion reversing a woman’s right to choose abortion and shuttering abortion clinics, who gets to work opening a new clinic to continue care …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2023 INITIATIVEfor a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Melanie Smith Taylor Olympic Gold medalist, equestrian Grand Prix triple crown winner, Show Jumping Hall of Fame member and sports commentator are just a few of Melanie Smith Taylor’s claims to fame. While she wasn’t born on …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2023 VISIONfor a woman whose sensitivity to women’s needs led her to tremendous achievements for women: Lori Spicer Robertson Lori Spicer Robertson used to call herself a ‘hometown fleer” who chose to return after college and grad school to her hometown, determined to make a difference. Even as her career has climbed through …
Women of Achievement2023 COURAGEfor a woman who, facing active opposition,backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Anne Stone Carriere We honor the Rev. Anne Stone Carriere as the first woman to be ordained a priest in the West Tennessee Diocese of the Episcopal Church. During a time of doctrinal upheaval, she pursued her …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT2023 DETERMINATIONfor a woman who solved a glaring problem despite widespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Barbara Boucher Many people in our community are hungry every single day. And that’s not okay with Barbara Boucher. Some statistics report that 19% of our local population suffers from food insecurity. Some say that 116,000 …