Trailblazing South Carolina women who are impacting government, business, public service, health care, the environment and the law were honored by South Carolina ETV (SCETV) in the team's “Women Vision SC” initiative.
The program's one-hour special, entitled, “Women Vision SC: Finding Our Voice,” profiled 11 honorees, who told their stories about their vision, values and the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.
The initiative’s inaugural year was 2019.
SCETV organizers kicked off the second year of “Women Vision SC” by requesting viewers and listeners to nominate women of vision. In all, 90 nominations were submitted for the 2020 program, and the panel of community leaders narrowed the field to 11.
Five of this year's 11 honorees hail from Columbia:
M. Malissa Burnette: She's an award-winning attorney and advocate for equal rights for all. She waged a successful legal battle to change the rules and allow women to attend The Citadel.
Tameika Isaac Devine: As the first African American female to serve on Columbia’s City Council, she's a founding partner in her law firm and author of “Think Like a CEO, Act Like a Mom.”
Lou Kennedy: President, CEO and owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, she helped establish the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center in conjunction with the USC School of Pharmacy.
T. Lilly Little Water: She's a volunteer community organizer, having conducted social justice programs in South Carolina for nearly three decades. She also serves as CEO of the South Carolina Indian Affairs Commission.
Ann Timberlake: One of South Carolina’s leading conservational and environmental advocates, she founded the Conservation Voters of South Carolina.
Other honorees for the 2020 program were:
- Deborah Blalock, of Charleston
- Dr. Shaniece Criss, of Greenville
- Keisha Hawes, of Moncks Corner
- Cathy Hughes, of Orangeburg
- Darla Moore, of Lake City
- Betty Jo Rhea, of Rock Hill