Women of Distinction of Greater Chattanooga<\/a> honorees are recognized because they devote their time to improving the quality of life for others and are influencers in the community. Since 1983, more than 300 local women have been honored.<\/p>\nThe 2021 honorees with UTC ties:<\/p>\n
Shewanee Howard-Baptiste<\/strong> was named vice provost for academic outreach effective Aug. 1. She spent the 2020-2021 academic year as the interim director for the Master of Public Health in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Program. She joined UTC in 2013.<\/p>\n\u201cI am honored to be amongst other women who have been staples in the city, state and region who have had such a positive impact on the communities that we serve. These women have had a phenomenal impact on our community in so many different areas, and it\u2019s an honor to join some of these past honorees who I know personally, like Dr. Jennifer Ellis and Nicole Brown, and her colleague Dr. Martina Harris who was awarded the Unbought and Unbossed Award. These people have supported my professional growth and development here since I arrived in Chattanooga eight years ago. To have that same award and acknowledgment is really special.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBecky Fuller Hansard<\/strong> is head of school at Silverdale Baptist Academy in Chattanooga. She received a bachelor\u2019s degree in special education from UTC in 1984 and later received a master\u2019s degree in administration from Trevecca University. She has worked at Silverdale Baptist Academy since 1999.<\/p>\n\u201cIt is an honor to know that I will stand with five other UTC alumnae as we receive this honor together. I am thankful for an academic institution that values not only the contributions of women, but one that has helped to mentor women towards strong leadership in their communities.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cIn today\u2019s society, and especially in a female\u2019s leadership role, kindness from women can sometimes be greatly underestimated or undervalued. That is unfortunate because I believe that a woman\u2019s kindness comes from an incredible internal strength that the woman possesses.\u00a0 And that is a beautiful and powerful thing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nDonna Lawrence<\/strong> served more than a decade on the UTC Alumni Board in various roles, eventually rising to president. She was a longtime member of the UC Foundation Board of Trustees and has served on the UTC Chancellor\u2019s Roundtable, the UTC Athletics Board and the Chancellor\u2019s Multicultural Advisory Council. She currently represents UTC on the University of Tennessee System\u2019s statewide Alumni Association Board of Governors and is a member of the UT President\u2019s Council.<\/p>\n\u201cI am deeply honored and grateful to be recognized as a Woman of Distinction honoree this year.\u00a0 It is especially exciting to be sharing this honor with women who share a common love and bond for UTC and are incredible role models.\u00a0 I am so thankful for the unconditional love and support of my mother, father, husband and two daughters.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nDaisy Maurya-Ballard<\/strong> is co-owner of WillowStreet Properties Real Estate Investment and Development Group. A cheerleader and member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority while attending UTC, she graduated in 1992 with bachelor\u2019s degrees in English and American language and literature and communication.<\/p>\n\u201cIt seems a little bit surreal to be selected for the honor because of the presence of the women that I\u2019m among, as well as the women who were selected in years prior. I mean, it\u2019s incredibly humbling. And then I have a sense of gratitude that somehow, someway, I was selected for the honor. I feel like I\u2019m so normal compared to all the other ladies who were chosen. It sounds so clich\u00e9-ish, but I\u2019m honored and humbled and grateful to be among all these distinctive honorees who are female leaders within the community.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nCathie Smith<\/strong> is a professor emeritus in the UTC Department of Physical Therapy. She received her master\u2019s and one of her doctoral degrees from UTC and was a member of the Department of Physical Therapy for 25 years. Her career honors include receiving the American Physical Therapy Association Humanitarian Award in 2020 and the inaugural National Association of Neonatal Therapists\u2019 Pioneer Award in 2015.<\/p>\n\u201cBeing selected as a member of the class of 2021 Women of Distinction of Greater Chattanooga is truly a highlight of my professional career. I am grateful to my colleagues at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga who sponsored my nomination and the selection committee for granting me this prestigious recognition.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThroughout my career, I have been privileged to work with many gifted and committed co-workers who\u2014along with my husband, Dr. Ray Smith\u2014have encouraged and helped me in every endeavor in which I have engaged, and I share this recognition with them. The teaching opportunities I have had throughout my 25 years of association with the Department of Physical Therapy at UTC, coupled with my passion for helping children with mobility challenges, have afforded me many service opportunities for which I am thankful in my local community, nationally and internationally.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\nAmy Walden<\/strong> is chairman and chief executive officer of Walden Security, the fifth-largest security company in North America. Along with her husband, Michael, a U.S. Navy veteran, the Waldens established a $1 million endowment for the UTC Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, which helps veterans transfer their military skills to the civilian world and become successful entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\u00a0\u201cThroughout my life and in my position as CEO of Walden Security, it has always been my goal to reciprocate the support and generosity of the Chattanooga community by advocating for the advancement and well-being of our citizens. I am truly honored to be recognized as a Woman of Distinction and to be included in this outstanding group of accomplished honorees.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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