Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame is a special group that honors women who have made a big difference in the history of Tennessee, a state in the U.S. It's run by volunteers and is a non-profit organization, meaning it doesn't aim to make money.
How the Hall of Fame Started
This organization was created in 2010. Its main goal is to celebrate amazing women who have helped Tennessee grow and have improved the lives of other women. The idea for the Hall of Fame came from two groups: the Women's Economic Council Foundation, Inc. and the Tennessee Economic Council on Women.
Who Can Be Included?
To be chosen for the Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame, women usually meet certain requirements:
- They were born in Tennessee and became famous there.
- They have lived in Tennessee for a long time or chose Tennessee as their home state.
- They have made important and lasting contributions to Tennessee's economy, government, or culture.
- They have helped improve the standing of women in society.
- They have supported other women and issues important to women.
- They have spoken up for causes that matter to women and families.
Honored Women (Inductees)
The Hall of Fame adds new members every year or every two years. These members can be women from history or women who are still alive today. Sometimes, organizations that help women are also honored.
| Name | Picture | Born–Died | Year | What They Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joy Bishop | (1934-) | 2015 | First woman in the Air Force to reach a very high leadership position; she also helped with women's programs. | |
| Lizzie Crozier French |  |
(1851-1926) | 2015 | Started the Knoxville Female Institute and the Tennessee Suffrage Association, which worked for women's right to vote. |
| Elizabeth Rona (de) | (1890-1981) | 2015 | The first woman to teach chemistry at a university in Hungary. In the U.S., she worked on the Manhattan Project. | |
| Janice M. Holder | (1949-) | 2015 | The first woman to become Chief Justice of Tennessee, which is the highest judge in the state. | |
| Rosetta Miller-Perry | (1934-) | 2015 | Started the Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce and was a co-founder and journalist for a publishing company. | |
| Margaret Rhea Seddon |  |
(1947-) | 2015 | One of the first women astronauts chosen by NASA. |
| Zulfat Suara | 2015 | Leader and founder of the American Muslim Council of Tennessee. | ||
| Carol Gardner Transou | (d. 2021) | 2015 | Named Tennessee Teacher of the Year in 1987 and was the first Tennessee Teacher-Scholar for the National Endowment for the Humanities. | |
| Margaret L. Behm | (c. 1951) | 2013 | Co-founded Shipley & Behm, the first law firm in Nashville run only by women. | |
| Wilsie S. Bishop | (1949) | 2013 | The first woman to be Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of East Tennessee State University. | |
| M. Inez Crutchfield | (c. 1925-) | 2013 | The first African American woman to hold an elected position across the state in the Tennessee State Federation of Democratic Women. | |
| Shirley C. Raines | (1945-) | 2013 | President of the University of Memphis. | |
| Becca Stevens | (1963-) | 2013 | Founder of Magdalene House, a place that helps women. | |
| Jocelyn Wurzburg | (1940-) | 2013 | Helped organize a group of people from different faiths and races to respond after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.. | |
| Pat Summitt |  |
(1952-2016) | 2011 | The basketball coach with the most wins in NCAA history for either a men's or women's team. |
| Martha Craig Daughtrey | (1942-) | 2010 | The first woman from Tennessee to be appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, a very important court. | |
| Jane G. Eskind | (1933-2016) | 2010 | The first woman to win an election across the entire state of Tennessee. |
See also
In Spanish: Salón de la Fama de las mujeres de Tennessee para niños
