Georgia Women of Achievement
Georgia Women of Achievement
Georgia Women of Achievement
Recognizing and honoring women native to
or clearly identified with the State of Georgia
    

About Us

History/Mission

The idea to create an organization dedicated to honoring important women of Georgia's history was first suggested in 1988 by Rosalynn Carter. A year later, a founding committee was formed to set the groundwork for Georgia Women of Achievement. The committee included Rosalynn Carter, Robert Ackerman, Frank Jones, Valeria Murphy, Nancy Anderson, Neva Fickling, Eleanor Lane and Colleen Nunn.

In 1989 a mission statement was adopted, and by 1990 the organization’s structure was established, with its goals outlined. These goals included raising awareness through:

  • Publicizing the achievements of Georgia women through an annual induction ceremony, a traveling exhibit, a website, a teacher resource guide, and through other media.
  • Encouraging and supporting research and development of information about important women whose stories and accomplishments are not widely known.
  • Providing information about inspiring role models for Georgia youth.
  • Advocating inclusion of women's achievements in educational materials.

The first GWA induction ceremony took place in 1992 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. Since then, new inductees have been honored each year through ceremonies in various locations. The ceremonies take place in March, in celebration of Women’s History month.

Board of Trustees

  • Cyndey Costello Busbee, Medical Center of Central GA
  • Deborah Dietzler, UGA Alumni Association
  • Leigh Lambert Goff, Atlanta
  • Ellen Goodrich, Middle Georgia
  • Nancy Huddleston, Georgia Power Company
  • Rose Lane Leavell, Macon
  • Alden Maier, North Georgia
  • Honorable Beverly B. Martin, Judge, U.S. District Court
  • Abit Massey, Georgia Poultry Federation, President
  • Lynn Murphey, Cox Communications
  • Alexis Scott, Atlanta Daily World
  • Claire Smith, Macon
  • Swann Seiler, Georgia Power Coastal Region
  • Jill Stuckey, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
  • Lisa White, Savannah/US Army Corps of Engineers
  • Dr. Lucretia Payton-Stewart, Georgia State University
  • Mary Adams, Athens, GA
  • Janet Byington, Congressional Staffer Rep. Phil Gingrey
  • Carol McCullough, Avondale Estates
  • Lauretta Hannon, Author

Officers

  • President: Cyndey Busbee
  • Vice President: Leigh Goff
  • Past President: Lisa White
  • Secretary: Carol McCullough
  • Treasurer: Abit Massey

Honorary Board

  • Nancy Anderson, Macon
  • Julia Baldwin, Macon
  • Rosalynn Carter, Plains
  • Julianne Chambliss, Moultrie
  • Johnnetta Cole, Atlanta
  • Cathy Cox, Young Harris
  • Neva Fickling, Macon
  • Eleanor Lane, Macon
  • Dean Day Saunders, Atlanta
  • Alice Walker, California
  • Judy Woodruff, Washingon
  • Joanne Woodward, New York

Board of Selections

  • Dr. David Messer, Clayton State College
  • Mary Cathryn Cain, PhD, Agnes Scott College
  • Virginia J. H. Cain, Emory University Archives, Robert W. Woodruff Library
  • Jeanne Cyriaque, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division
  • Stan Deaton, PhD, Vice President for Programs and Scholarship,  Assistant Editor, Georgia Historical Quarterly, Georgia Historical Society
  • Glenn T. Eskew, PhD, Georgia State University
  • Mark McDonald, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Jamila Smith Owens, Program Officer, Georgia Humanities Council
  • Ann Ellis Pullen, PhD, Kennesaw State University
  • Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division - Retired

Georgia Women of Achievement Executive Director

  • Shelli Siebert, Atlanta