Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 11:00AM, Georgia Women of Achievement (GWA) will recognize and honor three inspirational women native to the state of Georgia, who have made extraordinary contributions within their fields of endeavor and concern, and who have definitely inspired future generations to utilize their own talents. This year’s inductees are: Ludie Clay Andrews, Susie Baker King Taylor, and Mamie George S. Williams. Each inductee will be featured in a short video highlighting the accomplishments of their life, presented by Georgia Public Broadcasting. The free event will be held at Pierce Chapel on the Wesleyan College campus.
The idea to create an organization dedicated to honoring important women of Georgia’s history was first suggested in 1988 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. A year later, a founding committee was formed to set the groundwork for Georgia Women of Achievement. The first GWA induction ceremony took place in 1992 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. Each year three women are inducted into the Georgia Women of Achievement Hall of Fame. With this year's additions, the organization now honors more than 84 outstanding women.
For more information about The Georgia Women of Achievement and to RSVP and pay online for the March 7th luncheon ($35), visit www.georgiawomen.org/2018-induction-ceremony.
2018 Inductees:
LUDIE CLAY ANDREWS
First African American registered nurse in Georgia. Founder of The Grady Municipal Training School of Colored Nurses. Committed her life to interracial social change and public health access for all.
SUSIE BAKER KING TAYLOR
After escaping plantation slavery, opened three schools for African American children and adults. Championed the Army Nurse Pension Act of 1892. Wrote and self-published her memoir.
MAMIE GEORGE S. WILLIAMS First female and first African American woman on the National Committee of the Republican Party. First woman in history to speak from the floor at a National Republican Convention.
Georgia Women of Achievement 2018 Induction Ceremony
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Wesleyan College, Pierce Chapel 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210
Free and open to the public.
Noon luncheon in Anderson Dining Hall; limited seating, reservations required; $35 per person
To RSVP and pay for the luncheon online, visit www.georgiawomen.org/2018-induction-ceremony.
(The awards ceremony is free)
Guest Speaker
Dr. Jamil Zainaldin, recently retired president of Georgia Humanities Council
Zainaldin earned his Ph.D. in history at the University of Chicago, then taught for four years, first at Northwestern University and then at Case Western Reserve University. After serving on a legislative task force on social security, women, and aging in Washington, D.C., Zainaldin accepted the position of deputy director of the American Historical Association. Later, he joined the Federation of State Humanities Councils and worked to build a greater appreciation in higher education for the role of scholars in public humanities programs. After eleven years in Washington, working on advocacy and administrative issues, Zainaldin went to the head the Georgia Humanities Council in 1997. He has recently retired.