50 Women

2008 “50 Women Who
Make a Difference”

Click here for a list of award recipients from 1997-2007.
Past 50 Women List.doc

Memphis Woman is proud to have the opportunity to recognize these influential Mid-South women who are an inspiration to all of us and to those whose lives they touch. Many nominations received this year reflect the dedication and commitment of a diverse group of women whose accomplishments continually make a difference in our community. Through their professions and community involvement, these women have influenced the lives of many of our readers and inspired them to share these stories with you. These women were honored at the 12th annual “50 Women Who Make a Difference” Recognition Dinner on Monday, August 25 at Hilton Memphis.

Patricia Barnett
Director of USBTA (US Baton Twirling Alumni)
“Her involvement with twirlers from the beginning stages all the way to the World Cup has been an exciting and rewarding adventure. In 2006 TBTA (Tennessee Baton Twirling Alumni) was born… [and] the organization has since grown to become the USBTA (United States Baton Twirling Alumni) and has chapters in Tennessee and California. Each week she receives scholarship applications from all over the U.S. and is motivated to grant all of them. ”
Nominated by The Fruitful Vine by Design
Keys to Success: Staying focused on the 3 P’s: Positive attitude – Persistence – Passion for the cause
Community Service: Executive Women International Board of Directors; USBTA Board of Directors; Participate in State, Regional, National and International Baton Twirling Events

Patricia is married to Rob Barnett, a software engineer at Software Earnings, Inc. They have a daughter: Ginny Stauffer, 18, a rising freshman at the University of Memphis. Her hobbies include gourmet cooking and wine tasting.

Michelle Buckalew
Editor, The Animal World USA & Animal Philanthropist
“[Michelle’s] most monumental volunteer contribution has been the creation of Tennessee Week for the Animals, a week-long tribute to animals that is celebrated throughout the state of Tennessee. Michelle has dedicated her life to helping animals and to the creation of new avenues through which we can all share in the joy that animals bring to our lives. She has achieved great success in many of her pursuits and has reached many of the lofty goals she has set for herself and the animal community.”
Nominated by Tennessee Week for the Animals
What Inspires & Motivates You: God, unconditional love of animals and dedication to the community.
Michelle is the owner of dogs Mystik and Blue Boy, as well as cats Tinkerbelle and Minky.

Laura J. Campbell
Assistant Manager of Energy Resources, Memphis Light Gas & Water
“[Laura’s] substantive difference-making begins with battling on Capitol Hill for transparency in wholesale natural gas markets, a fight that ultimately translates into better rates on natural gas bills for customers in Memphis and nationwide. Locally, Laura is an essential member of the team that has led to MLGW natural gas costs being 10 percent lower than last winter, despite an eight percent increase in the national market.”
Nominated by MLGW Corporate Communications
What Inspires & Motivates You: What really motivates and inspires me is a good challenge, particularly if meeting that challenge benefits the greater community. When I testified on behalf of the American Public Gas Association (APGA) before Congress this past fall and again this spring, the setting was quite intimidating. Nonetheless, I was emboldened knowing that these efforts were important to, and would benefit, my community, as well as all American consumers. Those challenges extend to my family life, as well as my husband serves as a Commander in the U. S. Navy Reserves. The challenge for me lies in managing the children, the household and my career in his absence.
Community Service: American Public Gas Association, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Committee
Laura is married to Colin Campbell. They are the parents of a 6-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. 
Kim Cherry
Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, First Tennessee
“Kim has made and will continue to make a notable difference in the ethical field of public relations, specifically media relations. Due to her passion for ethical communications, she served as the president, treasurer, ethics chair, program chair, membership chair and accreditation chair of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Memphis chapter. She also earned First Tennessee’s top employee award presented to one of more than 12,000 employees and is one of only three females to report directly to the CEO.”
Nominated by First Tennessee - Women’s Initiative
What Inspires & Motivates You: Helping others recognize their value and potential is what motivates me. My life is touched by such beautiful people, and supporting them with ethical, encouraging mentorship is so exciting.
Community Service: Center for Economic Education at the University of Memphis, board member; Public Relations Society of America Memphis chapter, board member; Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, grants task force; Metropolitan Interfaith Hospitality Network, volunteer; Rhodes College RAVE Program, volunteer; American Diabetes Association Elvis Rock ’n Roll Ride Weekend, chair; Memphis Woman Magazine Outstanding Young Women of Memphis, selection committee.
Kim has been married to Richard Cherry for 22 years and they are the parents of 15 year-old Collin.

Candy Covington
Director of Admissions and Advancement, Hutchison School
“Candy’s leadership and work on the school’s financial aid committee has ensured that girls from diverse socio-economic backgrounds are afforded every opportunity to attain a Hutchison education. A sponsor of the Crest Society (a leadership society where girls are selected to serve as student ambassadors and advocates on behalf of the school administration at school events), Candy has been instrumental in the growth of numerous girls who have become leaders at school and beyond.”
Nominated by Hutchison School
Inspiration & Motivation: Children inspire and motivate me. I love working with children because they represent unfettered potential and undaunted hope. It is exciting to watch their creativity, energy, and enthusiasm as they realize they can make a difference. Each child holds the world in the palm of his or her hand and each child has the ability to make a significant and awe-inspiring contribution on a global scale
to our future.
Community Service: Hands on Memphis, Target House, Habitat for Humanity
Candy is married to William D. Covington and they are the parents of 2 children: daughter Claire Covington, an attorney, and son Will Covington, an Equity Analyst Associate at Morgan Keegan.

Kelly L. Dobbins
Owner, Mid-South Drug Testing
Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice, Crichton College
“Kelly’s business offers individual, employment, school, federal and court-ordered drug testing as well as DNA testing serving West Tennessee, Northeastern Arkansas and Northern Mississippi. Kelly often serves as an expert witness, testifying even in federal court. She also was recruited to speak on marketing one’s services during the national DATIA annual conference last year at the Peabody.”
Nominated by The Justice Network, Inc.
Keys to Success: Pray daily. Hire the right people, train them to do their job, delegate responsibility to them, and let them do their job.
Community Service: Chairman of the Board-Innovative Counseling Non-Profit, Volunteer-prayer ministry Hope Presbyterian Church, Volunteer-Germantown Animal Shelter
Kelly is the mother of daughters Morgan, 13, and Maddie, 10. She is also the owner of dogs Baby Face, 3, and Angel, 3 (also sisters).

Alice A. (Alex) Eilers
Educator – Manager of Education, Pink Palace Museum
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis Volunteer
“Alex, who began volunteering for Habitat in 2001, has been referred to as ‘the heart of Habitat.’ In addition to her incredible work behind the scenes, Alex, a Habitat house leader, works 10-plus hours onsite with volunteers nearly 20 Saturdays a year, and she helped establish two of Habitat’s most successful fundraising events, the Exotic Italian Car Show and the Toolbox Bash.”
Nominated by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
Greatest Passion: Whether it be teaching others or helping to build a habitat house – I am most fulfilled when I help others help themselves.

Carolyn Furlotte
Legal Records Specialist, Smith & Nephew, Inc.
Race for the Cure Volunteer
“As a breast cancer survivor, Carolyn Furlotte has been a long-time advocate for cancer awareness. In 1998 she and fellow survivor Pam Johnson organized the first Smith & Nephew corporate team of over 100 participates. In 2007, S&N employees raised over $12,000 total through these events, Race registrations, solicited contributions, and personal donations.”
“No one has given more of their time and talents to the fight against breast cancer in our community than Carolyn. For many years, Carolyn was instrumental in keeping our local the Race for the Cure® thriving. She is an irreplaceable asset to the Komen Foundation because other wonderful speaking skills, her positive attitude in anything that has to be done, and unselfish dedication to ending breast cancer.”
Nominated by Victor Rocha, Smith & Nephew, Inc., Chad Graddy, Judy Birchler & Ellen Stucker, Memphis Race for the Cure®
Goals: In my lifetime, a world without breast cancer because we have found both the cure plus the way to prevent the cause. I’d like to help others experience the fullness of God’s love that I have found in my cancer journey.
Community Service: Susan G. Komen Pink Sunday Committee, Volunteer: Barristers Pancake Breakfast benefiting Komen for the Cure, Volunteer: Komen Race for the Cure, Memphis Camera Club Race for the Cure photography project
Carolyn has been married to Tom Furlotte for 12 years.

Teresa Bentley, RNC
NICU Nurse Manager, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
“Teresa Bentley is an angel. Maybe not in the traditional sense with a halo and heavenly glow, but she delivers hope, care and guidance during difficult times with the same patience and softness as her celestial counterparts. Teresa makes a difference every day to dozens of families who are unsure what the next day will mean for their precious newborn. They know they can count on Teresa for her expertise, compassion and commitment.”
Nominated by Baptist Memorial Health Care
What Inspires & Motivates You: God. He places people where they can be used. I pray to be used in a positive way by helping people at a time when they are very stressed- the birth of their sick baby. I believe in servant leadership; the more I work as a leader, the more of a servant I become.
Community Service: Women’s Advisory Board, March of Dimes Board, The Academy of Neonatal Nurses

Teresa has been married to Kevin Bentley, a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, for 21 years. They have 16, 15, and 13 year old boys. The Bentleys attend Bellevue Baptist Church.

Sherri Bushong-Maxey
Director of House Operations, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, Inc.
“Sherri’s impact on the lives of the thousands of families who’ve stayed at Ronald McDonald House can best be summed up in the words of a family that recently stayed there:
When people talk about how special Ronald McDonald House is, they are not talking about the buildings, it’s the people…people like you, that truly care and are compassionate for folks like us.”
Nominated by Ronald McDonald House of Memphis
What Inspires & Motivates You: The children and families that call the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis home are what inspire me the most. The children can be physically sick one minute and running up and down the hallways the next. I have also seen children who enter the building running and eventually lose their battle. While it breaks my heart it also motivates me more to make sure that, while these children call the Ronald McDonald House “home,” they have the best time with what time they are given here on earth. I am additionally inspired every day by our volunteers, donors and civic groups that make a difference daily to our patient and family lives.
Sherri is married to Mike Maxey and they are the owners of a 3 dogs. They enjoy traveling and watching the Memphis Tigers play basketball.

Amy Chapman
Broker/owner, WEICHERT, REALTORS® – Chapman & Associates
“After beginning her career at 19 and spending years with another real estate agency, she opened WEICHERT, REALTORS® – Chapman & Associates on Feb. 1, 2006, at the age of 27. In just two short years, she’s built a top-notch team and become a trusted expert for staff, clients and local media and an example for other WEICHERT franchisees. In just two short years, she’s built a top-notch team and become a trusted expert for staff, clients and local media and an example for other WEICHERT franchisees.”
Nominated by Obsidian Public Relations
Keys to Success: I think it takes determination and a fantastic support system, which I have from my corporate office, family, PR Company and the Chapman TEAM (agents and staff).
Community Service: Task Force Committee for MAAR, Memphis/Shelby Co. Humane Society
Amy is married to Anthony Chapman. They have two “fur-kids: Ginger and Roxy.”

Chauniece Conner
Founder and Artistic Director, Ballet On Wheels, Dance School & Company
“For many years, Chauniece Conner has transformed her experience as a former ballerina and lover of the arts into a segue to cultural, artistic development for Memphis youth. The impact that Chauniece Conner has on her students and our community has rippling effects and is an example of how one individual can make meaningful change in the greater Mid-South with an innate determination and will power to effect the lives of youth through the cultural artistic art form of ballet dance.”
Nominated by HarborTown Day Spa & Wellness Center
Greatest Passion: My greatest passion is born out of challenges. When faced with challenges, a fire ignites inside of me and forces me to reveal strengths, skills, and talents of which I never thought I was capable. Whether a personal, professional, or spiritual challenge, I am passionate about the breadth of potential outcomes I know are achievable as long as I commit myself to the work that is involved in "working through" the obstacles life presents me with. This passionate force gives purpose to my life and helps me avoid the pitfalls of passivity and reticence.
Community Service: Board President- Ballet On Wheels, Stanford / St. Jude Golf Classic Volunteer, Memphis Urban League- Member

Joanne Cunningham
Chair, Family Partners Council, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center
Teacher, Shelby County Schools – Lucy Elementary School
“Joanne's passion in advocating for patients and families comes from deep within. She and her family have spent an inordinate amount of time navigating the complexities of the health care system. She understands that family involvement in the health care experience is vital to positive outcomes.”
Nominated by Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center
Most Recent Project: I was asked to be the first chairperson of Family Partners Council for Le Bonheur over a year and a half ago. This council is charged with helping Le Bonheur to become more family centered and is made up of both families and staff. We are working on a variety of projects including communication within the hospital itself, communication between clinicians and families, quality and safety within the hospital, the continuum of care throughout the lifespan of children with chronic conditions, governmental advocacy and family support.
Community Service: West Tennessee Rep for Tennessee Association for Childhood Education International Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care) Parent Teacher
Joanne has been married to her high school sweetheart Jeff Cunningham for over 11 years. They have a 17 year-old daughter, Taylor, and an 8 year-old son, Jacob, with multiple disabilities.

Peggy J. Dobbins
District Public Guardian, Aging Commission of the Mid-South, Inc.
“At any given time, Ms. Dobbins’ program handles about 50 cases. She acts as sister, daughter and friend to many of her clients. She has spent over 25 years working with the elderly and disabled population. There is not a day that goes by that she has not made a difference her clients’ lives.”
Nominated by Deborah K. Brooks, Attorney at Law
Greatest Passion: my greatest passion is working with and for the elderly. I enjoy providing services to those who have/and continue to contribute so much to the society in which we live. The population I have had the previous to work with over the last 20 years has been that silent/forgotten group. Many times it is those who have no one who is willing and available to take care of their personal and financial needs. Seniors who need an advocate, social worker, someone to help with financial and legal matters, and to make medical and placement decisions.
Community Service: (GMICH) Greater Memphis Interagency Coalition for Homeless
Peggy is the mother of one son who attends Vanderbilt University and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Jessica Ann Gaines
Residential Loan Centers of America Marketing Director
“At the age of 21 she is a full time student at the University of Memphis majoring in Finance/Real Estate with the Dean’s Scholarship … that she has maintained all four years. She is also a full time employee at Residential Loan Centers of America as the Director of Marketing. She is extremely talented for her age and makes a great impact in the office.”
Nominated by Residential Loan Centers of America
Keys to Success: Having confidence in yourself and believing the fact that you can truly do anything you set your mind to. Having faith and loved ones who support you. Having a good attitude more days than not.
Community Service: Memphis Area Alzheimer’s Association- member; Step Up Women’s Network- member; Girl’s Empowerment Network- member; 2008 Miss Memphis Pageant- participant; student aid for disabled students at the University of Memphis

Jessica is daughter of Darlene and David Gaines and has one brother, Jonathan.

Continue 2008 “50 Women”