Honoring 50 women who lead remarkable lives
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/3736/1/Honoring-50-women-who-lead-remarkable-lives/Page1.html
By Florence M. Howard
Published on 04/30/2009
Blues singer Ruby Wilson was among 50 African-American women honored at the Tri-State Defender’s Second Annual Women of Excellence High Tea on Friday, April 24, at the Tower Room.
Blues singer Ruby Wilson was among 50 African-American women honored at the Tri-State Defender’s Second Annual Women of Excellence High Tea on Friday, April 24, at the Tower Room.
This year’s event recognized outstanding African-American women who “dared to dream and dared to achieve.”
“I loved it,” said the renowned Queen of Beale Street from her Whitehaven home on Tuesday. “It was a beautiful thing — 49 of the most beautiful women in Memphis, mentally and physically. I was glad to be among the women you honored.”
Wilson, who is recovering from a mild stroke suffered after performing New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia, Miss., was in a wheelchair when she accepted her award from Tri-State Defender (TSD) General Manager Phyllis Fickling and Executive Editor Dr. Karanja Ajanaku.
The gathering of more than 300 included teary-eyed fans and friends, networkers and Mearl Purvis of WHBQ Fox 13 who, as emcee, provided poignant, personal insights into the lives of honorees.
Sponsored by FedEx, AT&T, Comcast and Real Times Media, the awards program featured a mini-fashion show by Dillard’s and music by saxophonist Michael Townsend.
The honorees, or an emissary, found themselves on center stage as cameras flashed all around them and an abundance of hugs and handshakes were exchanged. Even though the honorees have incredibly busy schedules, nearly all were able to attend.
Among the exceptions were Wendy Moten, who was on tour and now lives in Nashville. She was represented by her nephew Rev. Derrick Joyce, former president of the 100 Black Men of Memphis. Tangela Mathis, a student of both the Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School, represented Deanie Parker. A few other honorees, MFD Battalion Chief Beverly Prye, Bev Johnson, Deidre Malone and Claudia Barr, had prior commitments.
Janas Jackson, FedEx program director of ethnic outreach, offered congratulatory remarks on behalf of sponsors. FBI Special Agent in Charge, My Harrison, flew back to Memphis especially for the ceremony. She gave a moving, eloquent speech that showed her softer side and brought the crowd to its feet.
Each woman received a multi-faceted octagon crystal paperweight with their individual name, event logos and the year laser-etched deep inside.
Along with their personalized award, honorees were recognized with complimentary, one-year subscriptions to the Tri-State Defender, individualized proclamations from Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks and tote bags, provided by Valero Memphis Refinery, filled with dozens of donated gift items, such as specially-wrapped Women of Excellence chocolate bars, cookbooks from the American Heart Association, Ampro hair care products from First Choice Sales and Marketing Group, fruit juice from Hardy Bottling and much more. Other contributors included the Grizzlies, Soulsville USA, National College of Business and Technology, Your Personal Assistant and The Crescent Club.
Additionally, the Tri-State Defender provided two editions of the newspaper for all attendees — last week’s paper with its commemorative section containing profiles and photos of all 50 Women of Excellence honorees, and a keepsake issue covering the inauguration of President Barack Obama along with free six-month subscriptions for all ticket purchasers.
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Blues singer Ruby Wilson was among 50 African-American women honored at the Tri-State Defender’s Second Annual Women of Excellence High Tea on Friday, April 24, at the Tower Room.
Honoring 50 women who lead remarkable lives
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| The 50 honorees: Claudia Barr, Vivian Berryhill, Tonya Biles, Tina Birchett, Joyce Blackmon, Ritche M. Bowden,Doris Boyd, Ruby Bright, Mary Brooks, Dr. Joyce Brown-Taylor, Caron Byrd, Bridget Chisholm, Kim Cox, Earline W. Duncan, Sheilah Easterling-Smith, Yvette George, Billie Gale Gholson, Kelly Greene, Brenda Harper, My Harrison, Cynthia Scales Hill, Marie Hill, Shirley Hill, Nika Jackson, Bev Johnson, Lorene Jones, Phyllis Jones, Rev. Dr. Gale Kennebrew, Aurelia Kyles, Deidre Malone, Kimberly Malone, Carlee McCullough, Mary McDaniel, Wendy Moten, Dr. Denise Mustiful-Martin, Elizabeth Nichols, Deanie Parker, Valerie Person, Beverly Prye, Glynn Johns Reed, Florence Roach, Peggie Russell, Gwendolyn Shorter, Shelia Terrell, Dr. Malinda Wade, Belinda Watkins, Rev. Elaine Westbrook-Thomas, Monica Wharton, Ruby Wilson, and Dr. Jan Young. |
Blues singer Ruby Wilson was among 50 African-American women honored at the Tri-State Defender’s Second Annual Women of Excellence High Tea on Friday, April 24, at the Tower Room.
This year’s event recognized outstanding African-American women who “dared to dream and dared to achieve.”
“I loved it,” said the renowned Queen of Beale Street from her Whitehaven home on Tuesday. “It was a beautiful thing — 49 of the most beautiful women in Memphis, mentally and physically. I was glad to be among the women you honored.”
Wilson, who is recovering from a mild stroke suffered after performing New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia, Miss., was in a wheelchair when she accepted her award from Tri-State Defender (TSD) General Manager Phyllis Fickling and Executive Editor Dr. Karanja Ajanaku.
The gathering of more than 300 included teary-eyed fans and friends, networkers and Mearl Purvis of WHBQ Fox 13 who, as emcee, provided poignant, personal insights into the lives of honorees.
Sponsored by FedEx, AT&T, Comcast and Real Times Media, the awards program featured a mini-fashion show by Dillard’s and music by saxophonist Michael Townsend.
The honorees, or an emissary, found themselves on center stage as cameras flashed all around them and an abundance of hugs and handshakes were exchanged. Even though the honorees have incredibly busy schedules, nearly all were able to attend.
Among the exceptions were Wendy Moten, who was on tour and now lives in Nashville. She was represented by her nephew Rev. Derrick Joyce, former president of the 100 Black Men of Memphis. Tangela Mathis, a student of both the Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School, represented Deanie Parker. A few other honorees, MFD Battalion Chief Beverly Prye, Bev Johnson, Deidre Malone and Claudia Barr, had prior commitments.
Janas Jackson, FedEx program director of ethnic outreach, offered congratulatory remarks on behalf of sponsors. FBI Special Agent in Charge, My Harrison, flew back to Memphis especially for the ceremony. She gave a moving, eloquent speech that showed her softer side and brought the crowd to its feet.
Each woman received a multi-faceted octagon crystal paperweight with their individual name, event logos and the year laser-etched deep inside.
Along with their personalized award, honorees were recognized with complimentary, one-year subscriptions to the Tri-State Defender, individualized proclamations from Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks and tote bags, provided by Valero Memphis Refinery, filled with dozens of donated gift items, such as specially-wrapped Women of Excellence chocolate bars, cookbooks from the American Heart Association, Ampro hair care products from First Choice Sales and Marketing Group, fruit juice from Hardy Bottling and much more. Other contributors included the Grizzlies, Soulsville USA, National College of Business and Technology, Your Personal Assistant and The Crescent Club.
Additionally, the Tri-State Defender provided two editions of the newspaper for all attendees — last week’s paper with its commemorative section containing profiles and photos of all 50 Women of Excellence honorees, and a keepsake issue covering the inauguration of President Barack Obama along with free six-month subscriptions for all ticket purchasers.