About

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 Murphey, 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

* Mary Adams, Athens
* Cyndey Costello Busbee, Macon
* Janet Byington, Rome
* Deborah Dietzler, Athens
* Leigh Lambert Goff, Atlanta
* Ellen Goodrich, Milledgeville
* Lauretta Hannon, Powder Springs
* Nancy Huddleston, Atlanta
* Julie Hunt, Tifton
* Judy Jordan, Atlanta
* Ruth Knox, Macon
* Rose Lane Leavell, Bullard
* Abit Massey, Gainesville
* Lynn Murphey, Macon
* Missie Woodruff Pierce, Alpharetta
* Karla Andrews Redding, Macon
* Lucretia Payton-Stewart, McDonough
* Swann Seiler, Savannah
* Claire Smith, Macon
* Jill Stuckey, Plains
* Lisa White, Savannah
* Joni Williams, Atlanta

Officers

* President: Cyndey Busbee
* Vice President: Leigh Goff
* Secretary: Claire Smith
* Treasurer: Abit Massey
* Executive Director: Beth Oleson

Honorary Trustees

* 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. Felicia Bell, Education Coordinator, Georgia Historical Society
* Mary Ellen Brooks, Director Emeritus, Hargret Rare Book and Manuscript library, University of Georgia
* Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell, Center for the Study of Georgia History, Augusta College and State University
* Dr. David Connolly, Jr., Georgia College and State University
* Jeanne Cyriaque, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division
* Libba Grace, Historic Oakland Foundation
* Mark McDonald, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
* Jamila Smith Owens, Program Officer, Georgia Humanities Council
* Dr. Ed Schrader, President, Brenau University
* Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division – Retired
* Dr. Mary C. Cain, Agnes Scott College, Decatur

Board of Trustees Presidents List

1990-1991 Gloria Shatto – Chair
1991-1995 Eleanor Lane
1995-1997 Nancy Anderson
1997-1999 Anne P. Smith
1999-2001 Ruth Bracewell
2001-2003 Julia Baldwin
2003-2005 Elizabeth Hardin
2005-2008 Ruth Knox
2008-2010 Lisa White
2010-2012 Cyndey Busbee

Induction Ceremony Speakers

2011 – Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady of the United States
2010 – Lauretta Hannon, Author and NPR Commentator
2009 – Mary Kay Andrews, Author
2008 – Barbara Christmas, former teacher, principal, and CEO of PAGE
2007 – Julianne Chambliss, former teacher and wife of Senator Saxby Chambliss
2006 – Leah Ward Sears, – Chief Justice of The Supreme Court of Georgia
2005 – Dr. Betty Lientz Siegel, President of Kennesaw State University
2004 – Gail Evans, Bestselling Author & Former Executive VP of CNN
2003 – Cynthia Good, Editor in Chief Atlanta Woman Magazine
2002 – Judy Woodruff, CNN Prime Anchor/Senior Correspondent
2001 – Kathy Hogan Trocheck, Georgia Novelist
2000 – Margaret Edson, a playwright and kindergarten teacher in Atlanta, best known for Wit, a play about a literary scholar diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer
1999 – Melissa Fay Greene, author of Praying for Sheetrock and The Temple Bombings
1998 – Dr. Nora Kizer Bell, President of Wesleyan College
1997 – Celestine Sibley, renowned southern author, journalist, and syndicated columnist for the Atlanta Constitution
1996 –Teresa Edwards, four-time Olympic Basketball Star from Cairo, Georgia
1995 –Dr. Johnetta Cole, President of Spelman College
1994 –Mrs. Shirley Miller, First Lady of Georgia
1993 – Judy Woodruff, McNeil/Lehrer News Hour
1992 – Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady of the United States