The courage, determination and heroism of women — no matter the barriers or circumstances – will be celebrated once again on March 30 at the 39th Women of Achievement awards. An immigrant artist, a trans woman, a barrier-breaking judge and advocates for women’s health and safety will share the stage at, Memphis’s premier celebration of National Women’s History month.
The Women of Achievement honorees for 2025 are:
Courage: Lauren Williams-Baptiste, organized successful neighborhood opposition to a proposed industrial sawmill
Determination: Kayla Gore, builds housing for trans people of color
Heritage: Joyce Blackmon, first female and African-American vice president at MLG&W
Heroism: Gwendolyn Turner, domestic violence survivor and advocate
Initiative: Maritza Davila-Irizarry, Puerto-Rican born acclaimed printmaker, art educator
Steadfastness: Judge Julia Smith Gibbons, federal appeals judge and first woman appointed to a court of record in Tennessee
Vision: Dr. Nikia Grayson, midwife and chief clinical officer at city’s first birth center
