Deborah Clubb (standing) introduces the four honorees present at "Grateful for Great Women." Seated left to right are: Rev. Roz Nichols, (2005 WA for Determination.) Attorney, mediator and civil rights warrior Jocie Wurzburg, (1990 WA for Courage.) Ines Negrette, founder of CasaLuz Memphis (2017 WA for Determination). and Memphis Flyer’s 2024 Best Local Singer Joyce Cobb, (2002 Woman of Achievement for Initiative.)
The panel included Memphis Flyer’s 2024 Best Local Singer Joyce Cobb, 2002 Woman of Achievement for Initiative; Ines Negrette, founder of CasaLuz Memphis and 2017 WA for Determination; Rev. Roz Nichols, 2005 WA for Determination and attorney, mediator and civil rights warrior Jocie Wurzburg,1990 WA for Courage. Learn about Women of Achievement here. The four panelists were each introduced by Deborah Clubb and Judy Card, then shared stories of their work and the important issues they have been working for. After that, we opened for questions. The event was refreshing, inspiring, and a great success!
WomenTalk is an open house tradition initiated by the board of the Memphis Area Women’s Council in 2013, a gathering when anything can be discussed and all opinions and fervor are welcome. WomenTalk will return in 2025.
Coming on March 30, 2025: the 39th Women of Achievement awards celebrating history-making women of Memphis and Shelby County or women whose achievements are centered in Shelby County.
So --- now is the time to nominate the amazing women in your life! Use this form here. New nominations or updates to earlier ones are due by Jan. 10, 2025. Alternatively, print materials and mail them to PO Box 95, Memphis TN 38101.
Founded in 1984, Women of Achievement volunteers have produced awards celebrations every year except during COVID. Essays about 278 individuals and three groups are archived at womenofachievement.org and in three published books, documenting and preserving women’s role in local history. Nominees for Courage, Initiative, Determination, Vision and Steadfastness must be current residents of Shelby County or their work must be centered in Shelby County. Heritage nominees must have been residents of Memphis or Shelby County. No residence restrictions apply in the Heroism category.
Women of Achievement membership is open to all. WA members participate in and co-chair the seven selection committees that choose finalists for the annual awards in January.
WA is housed at the Memphis Area Women’s Council which administers the program as a gift to the community. The 2025 celebration will be March 30 at First Congregational Church, 1000 Cooper St. Watch for ticket information in the early new year. See you there!
The Memphis Area Women’s Council advocates for women on the toughest issues, when women are ill-equipped or sometimes too traumatized to advocate for themselves — especially when it comes to safety at home, in the work place, and on campuses.
This work is ultimately satisfying and yet can be tiring and depressing and unwelcome in many circles. That is why we depend on our friends and supporters to keep our energies high, our focus crisp and our attitude positive, with hope renewed over and over.
This time of year is a good time for those who care about what we do to help us stay in the fray — by helping to defray the costs of the work. Please consider a donation to the Council today.
