February 2016

2016 WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS       

Women of Achievement event
honors eight women March 13


Buy your seats now for the 32nd annual Women of Achievement awards to honor eight Memphis-area women and celebrate National Women's History Month.

This year's honorees include two who created blues and jazz music that helped build an industry. Others fight for reproductive rights, dare to demand gender freedom, run to inspire health and fitness, and devote money and time to sustain arts and community services citywide.
 
Left to right:  Kirsch, West, Coffield,           Sessoms, Walton

The Women of Achievement awar dees for 2016 are:
 
Lil Hardin Armstrong
Armstrong
Heritage, for a woman whose ac hievements still enrich our lives: jazz musician and bandleader Lil Hardin Armstrong (1898-1971) and blues singer and songwriter Alberta Hunter (1895-1984)
 
Alberta Hunter
Hunter
Courage, for a woman who, facing active opposition, backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Ashley Coffield, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region
 
Haltom
Determination, for a woman who solved a glaring problem desp
ite widespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Claudia Haltom, founder and CEO of A Step Ahead Foundation
 
Steadfastness, for a woman with a lifetime of achievement: philanthropist and civic volunteer Dorothy Kirsch
 
Initiative, for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future:
Bennie Nelson West, founder and executive director of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance
 
Vision, for a woman whose sensitivity to women's needs led her to tremendous achievements for women: Linda Sessoms, president and founder Sisters-in-Motion Memphis
 
Heroism, for a woman whose heroic spirit was tested and shown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond: Leah Walton, transgender activist from Oxford, MS
 
The celebration on March 13 begins with a reception at 2 p.m., awards presentations at 3 p.m.  Enjoy the music of Lil Armstrong and Alberta Hunter. And hear essays about each honoree who will, in turn, share insights into her own motivation and inspiration for her achievement.
 
The deadline for reservations is March 9 -  $30 for one seat, or tables of 10 for $300.
 
Use Paypal at  www.memphiswomen.org for credit card orders or make checks payable to Women of Achievement, mailed to Women of Achievement at 2574 Sam Cooper Blvd., Memphis, TN 38112.
 
For more information, call 901-378-3866 or email  dclubb@memphiswomen.org
Each year since 1984, women from across the community have united to make and review nominations and to plan and produce the awards events. Join in the 32nd annual celebration on   March 13.
 


MEMPHIS SAYS NO MORE AT
HUGE EVENT MARCH 6, FEDEX FORUM
 
The Memphis Grizzlies are joining the Memphis Says No More campaign and all will be revealed on March 6, 3 p.m., at the game with the Phoenix Suns.
    
Plan to be there - and consider joining the Memphis Says No More Corps, volunteers who will help create handouts and cross the city distributing new MSNM materials that help all of us know what to do if rape or domestic violence happens to us or someone we know.

If you are interested or have a group that would like to help out - contact Deborah Clubb at dclubb@memphiswomen.org. We need everyone!
      
Each of us can be part of ending domestic violence and rape:

GO to MemphisSaysNOMORE.com for resources to get help or help someone else.

TAKE this survey - to inform our future efforts at awareness and prevention - http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MNNLL7J

BOOK our employer/workplace training called Victims at Home. Violence at Work. Employers Confront Domestic Violence." To book a workshop or a speaker about DV or rape - contact Deborah at dclubb@memphiswomen.org or 901-378-3866.

 

MARK WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
WITH LOCAL TRAILBLAZERS MARCH 5
 
Our partners at AAUW-Memphis will present four local women "trailblazers" on March 5 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The program will feature women who are or were "firsts" in their workplace positions:   
Dr. Tracy Hall, President, Southwest Tennessee Community College; Rev. Virzola Law, Senior Pastor, Lindenwood Christian Church; Dr. Shirley Raines, President Emerita, The University of Memphis, and Chief Gina Sweat, Director, Memphis Fire Department. Paula Casey will moderate the panel discussion. The event is free to the public.
 

WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES
DOWNTOWN - APRIL 22, 2016

Plan now to be bold and in step with ending gender violence by walking during the sixth annual Memphis Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.

Step out after work on that Friday and make a statement of support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Watch for details at MemphisSaysNOMORE.com and www.memphiswomen.org .
Issue: 20
In T his Issue


2016  Women of Achievement Awards

Memphis Says NO MORE March 6

Trailblazers Honored March 5

Walk A Mile April 22

WomanTalk Feb 25

VOTE!



WOMENTALK FEB. 25
 
Come to the first WomenTalk of 2016!

Hosted by the Women's Council board, WomenTalk is a time to share, to vent, to rally, to learn, enjoying a beverage and a snack.

Come to the Council office, 2574 Sam Cooper Blvd., 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday February 25.

Bring friends and colleagues! Questions -


 
 
VOTE!

Our 2016 presidential primary in Tennessee is on March 1.

Early voting began Feb. 10 downtown and ends Feb. 23. Satellite voting locations open Feb. 15 and close Feb. 23.

Women fought and died to win our right to vote. Don't waste it.

Use your right.

Vote in the primary and be heard.




About Memphis Area Women's Council
 
The Memphis Area Women's Council is a non-profit dedicated to advocacy to assure equity and opportunity for local women and girls. Our goal is strategic changes in policy, procedure, law and regulations that remove barriers, eliminate sexism and assure equal access.  

For more information or to donate go to memphiswomen.org
or contact Deborah Clubb at         901-378-3866 or  dclubb@memphiswomen.org.




Women of Achievement group photo by  Andrea Zucker Photography