Row 1 (Seated l to r):  Suzanne Roberts Foster, Linda Reid, Rhonda Spencer, Orangella Coger-Harris, Sheila Flemming-Hunter, Sandra Vaughn, Elaine Lee Turner, Linda F. Carter, Beverly Clark Stephens, Ursula Jones, Christy Poindexter, Willie Mae Willett, and Audra Melvin.  Row 2 (standing l to r): Gina Higgins, Laurita Jackson, Yvonne Acey, Delories Williams, Nisha Powers, Ruth Woodard Burkes, Brenda K. Reddick, Vanecia Kimbrow, Nieika Parks, Camille Wheeler, Hughetta Dudley, Sharon Wheeler, Johnnie Walker, Sally Johnson, Karen Malone, Andrea Jackson-Henry, Yvonne Robinson Jones, and Mary Jo Palmer. Row 3 (Back row l to r): CC Drayton, Victoria Artis, Naomi Dyson, Waletha Wasson, Marilynn Robinson, Denise Keys Johnson, Sharon Barnett-Myers, Dellwyn Turnipseed, Charlie Nelson, Sharon Coleman, Carol Jones, Judith Williams Black, and Beverly Robertson.  View additional images from the Women of Excellence High Tea.

by Brittany Fitzpatrick
Special to the Tri-State Defender

The scene: a group of extraordinary women gathered amongst family and friends at the Peabody Hotel for the Tri-State Defender’s third annual Women of Excellence High Tea.

Mistress of Ceremonies Mearl Purvis, news anchor for WHBQ Fox 13, easily channeled what Tri-State Defender General Manager Phyllis M. Fickling described as an event full of “high energy and synergy.”

“Mearl did an outstanding job,” said Pamela Marshall, one of the 51 nominees and chief of staff to Interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford. “She made all of us feel as if we were her personal friend.”

Marshall expressed her admiration for her fellow honorees.

“As I talked to the women at my table, I was so proud of our various accomplishments. We talked about our families and our professions, as we admired other women from across the rooms that were dressed so eloquently,” she said.

Dr. Yvonne Robinson Jones, a professor of International Education for Southwest Tennessee Community College, was also among the honorees.

“This event and the ones in the past create a sense of sisterhood.  I witnessed the accolades for women I have known and always admired for the contributions they have made. To be a part of such a community of sisters was and will always be humbling and a blessing for me,” she said.

FedEx, Methodist Healthcare University Hospital, Saint Francis Healthcare, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Comcast, AT&T and Real Times Media sponsored the sold-out, afternoon event at The Skyway. There was also a Fashion show sponsored by Dillard’s, with music by jazz saxophonist Michael Townsend.

Dr. Jones said the number of men who came to honor some of Memphis’ most accomplished women surprised her.

The exuberance of the event was accented by the eldest honoree, Orangella Coger-Harris. Bernal Smith II, president and publisher of the Tri-State Defender, recounted the afternoon’s most memorable moment.

“She was obviously honored and appreciative of the award, but it was her stroll back to her seat that stole the show,” said Smith.  

When Purvis announced that Coger-Harris was 92 years old, Smith said the audience members showed their admiration.  

“She received a standing ovation at which time she danced a little jig, picked up her cane and triumphantly held it above her head as if to say ‘I move a little slower than I used to, but I’m still here and making a difference and ya’ll better know it,’” Smith recalled.  

In addition to an engraved Women of Excellence award, each honoree received a canvas bag from Valero, customized confections from All State Insurance, skin care products from Nature Plex, LLC and Keystone Lab, General Mills products, and pens, cups and key chains from Hope Community Credit Union.

 “Too often and for too long African-American women have been the unsung heroines of homes, communities, businesses, schools and churches and the Women of Excellence event is a fitting honor by which to sing their praises,” said Smith.

“It allows us to provide them a measure of appreciation for a job well done and as encouragement to continue that good work.”