The first woman president of The University of Memphis will bethe featured mistress of ceremonies at a celebration of femaleachievers held this weekend during National Women's HistoryMonth.
U of M President Shirley Raines will host the Women ofAchievement 2003 Awards at the Holiday Inn at The U of M March 30at 6 p.m.
"I am honored as the first woman president at The University ofMemphis to call attention to women of achievement in ourcommunity," Raines said.
Many women who have made a significant contribution to theircommunities will be honored. The winners were nominated byindividuals in their community.
Hazel Moore will receive the "Initiative" award due to her workdealing with anti-drug and teen pregnancy education. Laurel Reismanwill receive the "Courage" award for her work to change Tennesseelaw on the adoption of mixed-race children.
Mars Child, Harriet McFadden and Polly Glotzbach will receivethe "Determination" award due to their work to establish theChildren's Museum of Memphis, which opened in 1990.
Nancy Bogatin will receive the "Steadfastness" award, for herwork as a civic and volunteer leader in the areas of art,advertising and marketing.
Wanda Henson and Brenda Henson, a lesbian couple, will behonored with the "Heroism" award due to their drive to overcomeopposition. Together they formed Camp Sister Spirit, a retreatlocation in Mississippi. Mariel Loaiza and Marcela Mendoza willreceive the "Vision" award for working to improve the lives ofLatina women in Memphis.
Ethel Niermeyer will receive the "Heritage" award posthumouslyfor her work with the YWCA.
Raines said all of these women inspire students and thecommunity
"Our students and the community look to leaders such as thesewomen as role models," Raines said.
The awards ceremony will feature a dinner by reservation.Reservations are $25 per person or $250 for a table of ten. CallSusan Mackenzie at 272-0560 for reservations.
