Girls Inc. has announced the women selected to be honored at the 13th annual UnBought & UnBossed Awards luncheon to be held on
April 19, 2017. Named for the phrase coined by Shirley Chisholm during her historic run for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination, the UnBought & UnBossed Awards honor local women who through their career achievement and/or community involvement, have made a significant impact on the lives of women and girls.
Community members submit nominations of women residing in Hamilton County, and the honorees are chosen by the high school-aged girls participating in the Girls Inc. Women's History Project.
THE HONOREES FOR 2017 ARE:
Sheila Albritton - Director, Career Services and Counseling, Chattanooga State Community College
Paige Evatt - Pro Bono Director and Staff Attorney, Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Rafielle Boone Freeman RN, BSN, MSL, CPHQ - Director of Quality Improvement, BlueCare Tennessee, a wholly owned subsidiary of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Tenesha M. Irvin - Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, Horizon Hospitality Management, Inc.
Janice Neal - Youth Services Manager, College & Career Success, Public Education Foundation
Dr. Marcia Noe - Professor of English and Director of Women's Studies, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Nicole Osborne - Attorney/Government Affairs Counsel, Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C.
Mrs. Christy E. Rashed - Vice President, Jamal M. Rashed Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc.
Ronelle Sellers - Southside Creative, Partner, Henderson Hutcherson & McCullough, Director of Marketing
As part of the Women's History Project, girls learn about the history of women's rights in the United States, about Shirley Chisholm and the traits of leaders. This serves as the foundation for the girls to select an honoree from the community nominations that inspires them. In addition, the participants hone their interview, research and public speaking skills as they develop moving presentations to deliver in tribute to the UnBought & UnBossed honorees at the annual awards luncheon held in April.
Girls participating in this year's women's history project are:
Manaiyah Chatman - Sophomore, Chattanooga High School, Center for Creative Arts
Yarelis Forte - Sr., Ooltewah High School
Jahlah Johnson - Jr., Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences
Jessica Labone - Jr., Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences
Komal Patri - Freshman, Girls Preparatory School
Aareon Reed - Jr., Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy
Frida Ulwimana - Sr., Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy
Keana Westfield - Sr., Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy
Terra Wright - Sophomore, STEM School