Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2005 INITIATIVE for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Mahaffey White Throughout her 90 plus years, Mahaffey White has used her initiative to move through a variety of artistic careers. Dress designer, art teacher, jewelry maker, photographer – who knows what’s next? Her …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2015 INITIATIVE for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Nadia Matthews As a high school student Nadia Matthews saw many of her peers headed the wrong direction, hanging out in gangs, becoming involved with drugs, getting into fights. She was determined not to …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2015 STEADFASTNESS for a woman with a lifetime of achievement: Barbara C. King Barbara King turned a volunteer slot with a local children’s charity into a career dedicated to helping abused children reclaim their lives. Under her steady hand, the Exchange Club Family Center has grown sevenfold into one of the premiere …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2015 DETERMINATION for a woman who solved a glaring problem despite widespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Shelia Williams Have you ever had to rely on a Memphis bus to get to work, to get to the store, or to get to a doctor’s appointment? Have you ever wanted to go …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2015 COURAGE for a woman who, facing active opposition, backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Amerah Shabazz-Bridges As a child, Amerah Shabazz-Bridges lived in the dark shadows of incestuous rape, suffering at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, a man who rightfully should have been her protector. Now, years …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2015 HERITAGE for a woman whose achievements still enrich our lives: Emma Currin Barbee Wilburn Rising from poverty, Emma Wilburn became one of the most successful and wealthy African-American businesswomen in Memphis in the early part of the 20th century. Her life is doubly impressive because she did this as a widowed …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2017 INITIATIVE for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future: Kamekio Lewis Intimate partner violence is a phrase social services and law enforcement use to talk about the abuse perpetrated in marriage or “romantic relationships.” More often it’s covered by the phrase domestic violence. …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2017 HERITAGE for a woman whose achievements still enrich our lives: Mary Magdalene Solari Less than a year after her birth near Genoa, Italy, in 1849, Mary Magdalene Solari was brought to Memphis by her parents. She went on to leave a legacy of artistic, civic and philanthropic achievements that still enrich …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2016 HERITAGE for a woman whose achievements still enrich our lives: Lil Hardin Armstrong and Alberta Hunter The Heritage Award this year is being given to two Memphis women who became renowned in the world of popular music: jazz legend Lillian (known as Lil) Hardin Armstrong and Blues icon Alberta Hunter. As …
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2016 DETERMINATION for a woman who solved a glaring problem despite widespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Claudia Haltom Claudia Haltom grew up in rural East Tennessee where she witnessed the effects of poverty on local families. After graduating from UT-Knoxville, she studied law, following in the footsteps of her mother, …