The Foundation is pleased to recognize the leadership and talents of extraordinary Tennessee women through the presentation of the "E" Awards. These awards are presented to women who have distinguished themselves in a specific field or life commitment that has contributed to improving the lives of girls and women in Tennessee.
They have achieved success and acknowledgement in her profession or in volunteerism, and community involvement.
MARY CLEMENT
Mary Clement is Director of Consumer Affairs for the Tennessee Department
of Commerce and Insurance. The Division works to enforce the State
Consumer Protection Act and assist consumers and business owners who
are victims of unfair business practices.
Over the years, Ms. Clement has been involved with various non-profit organizations.
She serves on the Advisory Board for Congressional Families
for Breast Cancer Awareness, Congressional Families Cancer Prevention
program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of
Middle Tennessee, the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at Vanderbilt, the
Dyer Observatory, the Nashville Children's Theatre and The Hermitage,
home of President Andrew Jackson.
Ms. Clement recently authored a book, Around the Kitchen Table (Lessons
Learned and Lives Shaped), emphasizing the importance of family
communication.
DR. SHIRLEY C. RAINES
Dr. Shirley C. Raines became the 11th president of the University of Memphis
on July 1, 2001. She is the first woman to hold the presidency of the
University, which was founded in 1912.
Described as "powerful, prepared and personable," she has become known
for her effective work in building productive partnerships on and off the
campus. Some of the most visible partnerships include those with Fed Ex
Corporation, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, First Tennessee and Baptist
Memorial Health Care. Major focus areas of her work with students include
expanding the University's Honors program and creating internships and
co-op experiences in many majors.
As a community leader, Dr. Raines serves as a past chair of the Memphis
Regional Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors of several
non-profit organizations, including Memphis Tomorrow, local PBS station
WKNO, and the Higher Education Division of United Way.
LISA SMITHGALL
Lisa Smithgall currently serves as Vice President of Women's and Children's
Services for Mountain States Health Alliance. Ms. Smithgall's work,
more than 25 years dedicated to improving the health of women and children,
recently culminated in the opening of Niswonger Children's Hospital
on the campus of Johnson City Medical Center. She has dedicated all her
professional efforts and much of her personal time to taking care of an often
underserved population. She has climbed to the top of the region's second
largest organization while at the same time still spending evenings walking
the floors of her hospitals working to ensure patients are receiving the highest
level of care. She is also an active member of the community outside
the hospital. For 13 years, she was a volunteer for the Girl Scouts of the
USA and served as a Group Leader. She is a current board member for the
Northeast TN Council of the American Lung Association and is also now
serving on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Hospital Association.