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-They exemplify leadership and giving back to the community.

Hello, I'm Peter Noll.

On this edition of Tennessee is Talking on location, we're at the 71st annual Jackson Woman of the Year Awards from downtown Jackson.

Let the conversation begin.

[background conversations] -That's so cool.

-Then that's when I said that-- -The problem with that idea is-- -Wow, that was amazing.

-Then I came up with the solution.

[music] -What was that about?

-Here's what I think about it.

-Now we're talking.

-West Tennessee PBS presents Tennessee is Talking.

Let the conversation begin.

-On this special edition of Tennessee is Talking on location from downtown Jackson, we're joined by Jackson Rotarian, Frank McMeen.

Frank, tell us about the Woman of the Year awards.

How did it start?

-The Altrusa Club did it for many, many years.

The club started in 1949, and then in 1952 they decided they needed to start recognizing a woman in our city, so they started Woman of the Year.

This year we're doing the Woman of the Year for 2023.

We'll have many of those women that are still living.

That's a long time to have Women of the Year.

Many of them are here and they'll relive this special moment helping to recognize o.. -How did the awards come to be part of the downtown Jackson Rotary?

-The Altrusa Club became smaller and smaller.

They had difficulty pulling the event off and getting in nominations.

Vicki Lake and I had friends in that club and so we started working with them, helping them pull it off.

Then we hinted to them, "We can have it and you all come."

We're down to seven Altrusa Club members.

Tonight, or today we'll have right at a hundred Rotarians plus guest to honor the Altrusa Club for getting it started all those years ago and then to honor the Woman of the Year.

-What does the awards mean to the community?

-It recognizes a woman who has had some kind of impact that made a tremendous impact in our city.

Sometimes it's based on the climate of the period.

Two years ago, we had the person who was over Madison County Health Department.

She was honored because of all the stuff she did to help us get through COVID.

That period of time she stepped up to the plate and did this wonderful thing.

It's either something they've done through their entire life.

This year's honoree has given a lifetime of serving Jackson in Madison County and even branched out into all of West Tennessee.

She has been one that has-- Should have been named probably a long time ago, and we're just now getting around to doing that.

They're all nominated by the community and then letters of support come in.

The selection was made and we're very proud of this year's recipient.

-Anyone can nominate someone.

Tell us about the selection process.

-The selection process.

People take the nomination forms, they submit them to Vicki and I and Melinda Reid, who's the president this year.

We bring all those together and we start looking at those.

The committee starts looking at those, and then the committee makes that decision, and then Vicki and I start-- It's kind of fun to pull off because you're trying to keep the recipient surprised but get all the other pieces of it to work where all the recipient's friends are here.

That's the fun part.

Then all the details between Melinda and other Rotarians, we make this room happen.

The key is, how do we make sure this person does not know?

They come thinking that someone else is going to be getting this award.

-It's very much a surprise that we'll be seen today.

-Yes.

Very much a surprise.

In fact, this year's recipient thinks she's coming to make an announcement about something at the end of Woman of the Year.

We've gone around to her and talking to others around her so that she hears to talk about-- We've moved that announcement to the very end.

Just be prepared.

There's going to be a lot of excitement and then at the .. we're going to make that announcement.

It's worked so far.

[chuckles] -When you say 71 years, that is an award that is enduring and has lasted a long time.

Why does it last so long and how was it endured through over seven decades?

-When you look at the people who will come back, it is such an honor to be nominated and then to receive this award.

You'll have women who-- Some of them are very old and they come back, and if they don't get their invitation to know when it is, they know it's about this time of year.

They'll call somebody, Vicki or me or somebody, and go, "I didn't get my invitation and I want to be there."

It's something that means a lot to them.

We're glad they want to come back.

The Rotary Club is the oldest civic organization in our city, one of the oldest in the state of Tennessee, I think the 264th Rotary Club in the world.

I think adding with our heritage and the Woman of the Year heritage, it's something that will help Woman of the Year live on for many, many years.

-Frank, you're with the Community Foundation.

What does this say about Jackson in West Tennessee about honoring those that give back?

-It's a neat thing to honor people who are very deserving.

I'm very proud that we are involved in helping to do that.

In the future, we may look at some ways to bring some corporate support in helping to honor these folks and make it a little more grand than it is.

Then it just says a lot for a community that never forgets to honor those that are well deserving, and that we do not forget them.

Today, we're going to be honoring all the past recipients of Woman of the Year, as well as all of the Altrusa Club that's still around.

You'll see some people in walkers, standing up, who are very proud to have been selected as Woman of the Ye.. -Hello and greetings.

I'm so sorry I'm not able to be with you today, but I'm glad I could share a few remarks on this video.

It's so important to celebrate the women who've made a difference in our Jackson Madison County community.

The Altrusa Club started this award recognizing the Woman of the Year in 1949, and then the Jackson Rotary Club has continued this tradition for a number of years.

When I think of the recipients, someone like Ms. Emma Inman Williams, Ms. Francis [?

], [?

], Ms. Doris Freeman, and the 2022 recipient, Kim Tedford, I'm just amazed by their abilities and their dedication.

I know I'm standing on the shoulders of some amazing women as the recipient for 2023.

I'm a West Tennessee girl.

Moved to Jackson 1979, but a career change of joining the Jackson Chamber of Commerce in 1988 has allowed me to understand how our community works.

I've been able to be involved in a lot of organizations and projects over the years.

The pinnacle for me was the Jackson Madison County Bicentennial program.

The year-long program in 2021 and '22, where we celebrated the heritage and history of this amazing community.

The whole town came together to celebrate.

More importantly, we left a lasting legacy for the future.

Celebrating accomplishments of strong women in our community is an essential part of our heritage.

We can draw pride and courage in their efforts and we can dream and be inspired to take up a challenge to improve our community.

One woman who was a role model for me was Pat Summit.

Pat had some amazing quotes, but one I want to share with you today is, "If you don't want responsibility, don't sit in the big chair.

You have to take full responsibility."

Well, all I can say is Pat walked the walk.

These women who've received this award over these many years have all walked the walk to make a difference in their community.

I want each of you to stop and think of a woman that has done something that impressed you.

What did she do?

What was it that inspired you?

Then how can you take that inspiration and make a difference in your community?

I want to congratulate the winner today.

I know that this woman is amazing.

She's creative.

She's dedicated.

Her body of work is phenomenal.

There's so many women in our community that are deserving of this award, but this year's winner, I congratulate and I thank you so much for receiving the award for 2023.

I appreciate being able to speak to you for a few moments.

Thank you.

[applause] -That's right.

A great round of applause for Elaine Christian, our 2023 recipient of the Women of the Year who couldn't be with us today, but sends her well wishes to us all.

Now what we're all here for to hear more about the Women of the Year 2024.

At this time, I welcome Rotarian Dr. Ron Kirkland to the podium.

-Thank you, Madam President.

If I might take a moment of personal privilege, I want you to look quickly at the first page inside your program.

It says Jackson Rotary Club, Women of the Year committee co-chairs.

These people don't get enough credit.

Dr. Frank McMeen, Dr. Vicki Lake, please stand up and receive our applause.

Thank you very much.

[applause] -Frank want to be sure he got that on video.

It is a great privilege to introduce the 2023 Jackson Woman of the Year.

The Altrusa Club of Jackson began naming the Woman of the Year for Jackson in 1952, with his first recipient, Mrs. Ruth Mainord.

Our Jackson Rotary Club was allowed to continue this tradition, beginning in 2016.

Today we announce and honor the 2023 Jackson Woman of the Year.

Our 2023 recipient has devoted many years of service to Jackson, making it a better place to live.

Her commitment to our community has been unwavering.

Her passion, dedication, and selfless leadership embody the spirit of Woman of the Year.

The numerous letters of support received on behalf of our recipient mentioned her commitment to nonprofits in our community, as well as the importance she places on developing and investing in our community leaders.

One supporter mentioned her continued emphasis on community trusteeship.

Others said she had a direct influence on the development of thousands of leaders and future leaders of Jackson in Madison County.

Most know our 2023 Woman of the Year from her 40 years with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, working with Leadership Jackson, Leadership University, WestStar Leadership, and the Tennessee Association of Community Leadership.

Judy has provided guidance and mentorship to countless individuals.

Her strategic vision and ability to inspire others have undoubtedly contributed to the success and growth of the greater Jackson Chamber's leadership programs.

Yet her involvement in Jackson goes beyond her tenure at the Jackson Chamber.

For many years, Judy has been involved in the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, where she has served on its Board of Directors as Chair of the Blue Suede Dinner & Auction and with the Circles of Hope Telethon.

Judy has also served on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Jackson Chapter and was Chair of the Governance Committee.

Her involvement with our Jackson Arts is also well known.

Judy serves on the Board of Directors of the Jackson Arts Council and has been active as Secretary of the Board on its Arts Coalition and on its Arts Council Steering Committee.

Other community service includes Secretary of the Jackson Madison County Bicentennia.. the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the March of Dimes, the Special Olympics, and the Jackson Exchange Club.

Judy was the 2022 American Heart Association West Tennessee Go Red Woman of Impact and was the 2022 Woman of Influence named by the City of Jackson.

She was given the Servant Leadership Award for 2019 by the Tennessee Association of Community Leadership and received the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Jackson Award for Leadership in 2015.

Judy is one of the 2010 Inaugural Sterling Award 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee.

She has been named a Jackson Sun Mover and Shaker in Jackson and received a Pearl Award from the City News.

Judy Renshaw is a native Jacksonian who attended Beech Bluff High School and West Tennessee Business College.

She is a graduate of the United States Chamber Institute of Organizational Management and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Leadership Development Program in its Center of Creative Leadership.

Judy has been very active in the Northside Church where she has served on numerous committees.

Judy Renshaw has been married for 40 years to Dennis Renshaw.

Their children include three daughters, Christy, Camille, and Heather, one son, Danny, plus seven grandchildren, Calvin, Ruthie, Mary, Jack, Vivian, Marco, and Luca.

On behalf of the Jackson Rotary Club, Jackson in Madison County, I ask that everyone please stand and join me in congratulating Judy C. Renshaw as the Jackson Woman of the Year for 2023.

[applause] -I am not one good with emotions.

If y'all would sit down, please.

Let me get my myself together here.

Sorry, just saw my family.

This is such a humbling experience.

I guarantee all the ladies out there who have won this before know how humbling it can be.

You never feel deserving of something like this.

You just do what you do because you love your community.

I am so thankful.

Thank you.

Everything I do, I do for love of my community.

My mom and dad were great examples for me.

A church was a great example of being in service to others.

Then when I moved to the Jackson Chamber for my 40 years there, serving our community was just something that you did.

I found that it was something that I loved.

Being able to see others grow and be nourished by what you did is a blessing that I'll never forget.

Being able to work with Leadership Jackson and being able to see people come up in the community and to move into leadership positions in the community.

I was that small piece of something that they did that was wonderful for our community.

I'm so thankful for all my friends that I made through all the services that I was involved in.

Thank you so much for this.

It's very humbling, but thank you so much.

I appreciate it so much.

[applause] [music] -We are honored to be joined by Judy Renshaw, this year's Jackson Woman of the Year award winner.

Wow, 71.

You're number 71.

How does it feel?

-Humbled is the big word that comes up.

I did not know this was happening today and I was going to be recognized, so it's very humbling, especially when you look out and see friends in the audience and family, that makes it extra special.

-Frank McMeen told us part of the big hoopla is the surprise.

How did they surprise you, get you here today?

-Pam Nash, who's with the Carl Perkins Child Abuse Prevention Center, of which I'm very involved, she called me and said that she needed me to come with her, that we were making an announcement about the Andrew Jackson Marathon.

Since I had been the volunteer coordinator of that in the past, I said, "Sure.

I'll be glad to do that."

That's what I thought I was doing.

I was going to make an announcement about another non-profit event.

-It was quite the elaborate setup to get you here.

-Yes.

-When did you know that it was you?

-I think when they said had been at the chamber for 40 years because there's not many staff people who've been at the chamber for 40 years before they retired.

That was the point that I thought, "Oh-oh, that's me."

[chucjkes] -You've been to the award ceremony before, and you've seen some of the women that were in that audience today.

Now you're one of them.

How does that make you feel?

-Again, that word humbled comes to mind, because there are people who have contributed in significant ways to our community in so many different areas of our community, and it's humbling to feel like that I deserve to be there, standing, as Elaine said, on the shoulders of some of those ladies who have already gone before me and have done so much for our community.

-What's one thing that you would tell other people trying to explain what the Jackson Woman of the Year Awards is all about, somebody that had never heard of it?

-I think it's trying to identify people in the community who have unselfishly served the community to make the community a better place.

I hope that that's something that I have done.

-Thank you, and congratulations again.

From everyone at West Tennessee PBS, we really want to thank you.

-Thank you so much.

I appreciate it.

-We're out of time.

I'm Peter Noll.

Thank you all so much for joining us from this Tennessee is Talking on location, from the 71st Annual Jackson Woman of the Year Awards.

Our congratulations to Judy Renshaw and everyone who put on this wonderful event.

Remember, you can watch today's program on westtnpbs.org.

You can stream it on the PBS app or on the YouTube channel of WLJT.

Thank you so much for joining us.

Have a great day.

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