Owner (retired), Staffing Solutions; first female chair, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce
Know who you are and what you believe and stay true to those principles and your faith when decisions need to be made.
First female member, UT Board of Trustees; first female member, UT golf team
Keep setting goals.
If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. Strive for excellence in all you do.
Stand strong and remain true to your values.
Justice, Tennessee Supreme Court; first female judge, Eastern Section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals
Never set limits on what you can achieve. Don’t fear failure-it is a great learning experience. Be open to all possibilities. Practice the golden rule.
President and CEO, Knoxville Utilities Board; first female CEO, KUB
You will have many opportunities, so make the most of them. Your life story will be told by how you responded to the challenges you faced.
Executive director, Second Harvest Food Bank; expanded Food Bank coverage to 16 counties
It’s not the cards you’re dealt, it’s how you play your hand. Life’s journey will bring great joys and sorrows, so it’s important to handle both with a good, strong positive attitude.
Opera star and voice of Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’
Every setback is an opportunity to begin something new. Worry is detrimental to any sense of accomplishment. And nothing in this world is as important as my walk with God.
Retired educator; first president, Beck Cultural Exchange Center
The best gift in life is when you do something nice for someone else.
CEO, Regal Entertainment Group; first female CEO of nation’s largest theater group
Things are never as good as they may seem nor as bad as they may seem.
Mayor, City of Knoxville; first female mayor of any of the four major cities in Tennessee
Embrace change (it will happen whether you want it or not). Give back and pay forward. Weigh your options, but trust your gut instincts. Laugh more, cry less. A sense of humor and big smile are both contagious.
UT Women’s Basketball Coach Emeritus; winningest basketball coach in U.S.
history
Surround yourself with quality people. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Life’s all about relationships!
UT Women’s Athletic Director, 1983-2012; Interim Vice Chancellor and Athletics Director, 2011
Set goals but always enjoy the journey. Put God first, followed by family and then career. The keys to success are passion, pride, hard work and integrity.
Longtime civil rights activist; first African American to serve on Knoxville Board of Education
CEO, Moxley Carmichael; First female city editor, Knoxville Journal; social media pioneer in Knoxville
Prepare for the career you want, but be aware that the business environment changes and you need to be flexible.
Record the wonderful stories about people ,places and events that I was told and thought I would always remember. Become fluent in a foreign language and live abroad. Challenge myself to become more interested in math and science.
Executive director, Knox Heritage Inc.; instrumental in making preservatoin a priority in the region
Set a goal to find your passion, but don’t worry if you don’t find it at first.
Work hard in the meantime and be open to the possibilities.
BEE DESELM
First of two female members, Knox County Commission
ADVICE: Take advantage of opportunities that challenge you to move past your comfort zone.
DEE HASLAM
Executive Producer and CEO, RIVR Media; board chair, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
ADVICE: Be always hopeful.
Know that bad things will happen that will be out of your control. Look to these things as a blessing because you will grow closer to God, family and friends.
PHYLLIS NICHOLS
President and CEO, Knoxville Area Urban League; chair, Great Schools Partnership
ADVICE: To thine own self, be true. Be kind to everyone you meet. Your mother will be 92% right! You will be amazed as to why you ever needed to know some things.
LIANE RUSSELL
Groundbreaking geneticist who discovered the purpose of the Y chromosome; co-founder of ORNL’s Mouse House
ADVICE: The work you do must fulfill and excite you, and must give you a feeling that you have disseminated new knowledge, that you have helped people and our planet.
LOIDA VELASQUEZ
Retired director, UT program to serve migrant workers; pioneer and leader in Latino community in East Tennessee
ADVICE: Slow down, complete your college education, travel the world, find a job that bring satisfaction to your life. And then, find a community that is open and vibrant to anchor you in.
MARY DUFFY (DECEASED)
Director, Knox County Health Department, 1967-1992; grew department from 50 to 250 staff members
MARY LOU HORNER, (DECEASED)
One of first two female members, Knox County Commission; longtime community volunteer and activist
SUSAN PACKARD
HGTV/Scripps Networks Interactive pioneer; speaker, consultant and author on leadership
ADVICE: Be open to learning. Push through any fear or uncertainty about being able to learn new things.
SISTERS OF MERCY
Missions representatives, Physicians Regional Medical Center. From left, Sister Marie Moore, Sister Mary Yvette Gillen, Sister Mary Martha Naber, Sister Margaret Turk, Sister Mary Albertine Paulus.
“By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. ” John 15: 8-9
SUSAN RICHARDSON WILLIAMS
Founder, SRW & Associates; first female chair of the Tennessee Republican Party
ADVICE: Take more time to explore and enjoy before taking on major responsibilities that will confine and consume you.
PAM FANSLER
East Region President, First Tennessee Bank; 2011-2012 United Way of Greater Knoxville Campaign Chair
ADVICE: Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and not afraid to speak up. They should bring competencies to the table that you do not have.
KAMILIA KOZLOWSKI
CEO and founder, Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center, the first in Knoxville
ADVICE: When believing in yourself and remembering the sky is the limit, your dreams become reality.
SHARON PRYSE
President, The Trust Co. of Knoxville, the first state bank in Knoxville
ADVICE: Work hard. Don’t sweat the small stuff, keep focused on the goal and work HARD. Enjoy friends and family. Participate in the things you like. And work hard!
WANDA SOBIESKI
President, Sobieski, Messer & Associates; advocate for social change legislation; cofounder of Women Suffrage Coalition
ADVICE: Don’t set your goals so low. Don’t be so focused that you underestimate the value of networking. Trust your instincts.
SYLVIA WOODS
Community activist and prominent labor leader, former president, Council of P TA s .
ADVICE: Find a husband who loves you and shows it by respecting you. You are in control of your feelings. Be happy.
Courtesy of: Knoxville Sentinel Staff
Publish by: Knoxville News Sentinel