Mary Ann Rutherford Lipscomb 1848 - 1918

Mary Ann Rutherford Lipscomb’s life was based on the philosophy that education was the key to a successful and productive future for all children in Georgia.  Her accomplishments in pursuing that philosophy include working to eliminate child labor, fighting for compulsory education laws and establishing the first free kindergarten for working mothers, as well as establishing Tallulah Falls School in 1909.

Mrs. Lipscomb’s own words reflect the way she lived her life:  “The questions for you is not what you are going to get out of the world, but what you are going to give to the world.”

Celestine Colley Sibley 1914 - 1999

In 1997 Celestine Sibley was just the fifth woman to receive the Shining Light Award from WSB radio and the Atlanta Gas Light Company, given to recognize Georgians “who have been an inspiration to the lives of others through service to humanity.”  Mrs. Sibley’s service included a career in journalism with the Atlanta Constitution covering all the major news stories from the 1940’s through the 1970’s. 

She also wrote 40 years’ worth of columns reflecting on Southern life and everyday events that made her readers laugh, think, and love her.  She won many awards and served many humanitarian causes on boards and committees during her life, and though she was born in Florida and didn't come to Georgia until 1941, she became an adopted daughter of our state and an icon throughout the south.

Madrid Loyd Williams 1911 - 1993

Madrid Loyd Williams rose from humble beginnings and a lack of formal education to succeed in the male dominated world of law.  She became the first woman to serve as Executive Secretary of the State Bar of Georgia, and only the third woman to be President of the National Association of Bar Executive Directors.

While she was head of the Georgia Bar Office, the number of members expanded form 1,389 in 1942 to 9,600 in 1976 when she retired.  Mrs. Williams was responsible for much of the organizational growth that accompanied this expansion.

She was an active member of her church and professional organizations supporting women.  Her life was testament to the proof that hard work and dedication are prerequisites for success.