COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV) recognized 11 women leaders from across the state yesterday at the organization’s “Women Vision S.C.” event. Taking place at SCETV’s Telecommunications Center in Columbia, portions of the evening’s ceremony were taped for an upcoming television program, scheduled to air May 9 at 8 p.m. eastern.
Established by former SCETV President and CEO Linda O’Bryon, who also serves as the project’s executive producer, “Women Vision S.C.” is an initiative that focuses on issues affecting women throughout the state and the nation. It also provides a platform to highlight trailblazing women that have made an impact, as well as the generation of young people pursuing public service for their communities and the state at large. Last fall, viewers and listeners throughout the state were invited to nominate women of achievement. In all, 75 women were nominated, and a judging panel narrowed the field to 11.
Following the presentation of awards, Wednesday’s event featured an engaging panel discussion with women leaders in industry, government and education. Participants included former South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal; South Carolina State Senator Katrina Shealy; BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Sr. Vice President Jill Davis; Bank of America South Carolina President Kim Wilkerson; S.C. Technical College System Executive Vice President Dr. Hope Rivers; former South Carolina First Lady Rachel Hodges; and Lancaster High School College Adviser Emma DeVenny.
The panel discussion will be included in the television program scheduled to air May 9 on SCETV. In addition to that broadcast, segments highlighting all 11 award recipients will be featured on “Palmetto Scene,” beginning May 2 at 7:30 p.m. and continuing on subsequent, new episodes of the show.
Additionally, brief radio segments will also air on S.C. Public Radio, beginning April 30. These segments will air Tuesdays at 7:45 a.m., Wednesdays at 1:33 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m., continuing through Thursday, July 11. Following their airing, extended interviews on podcasts will be made available, along with video content, which will all be housed online at www.scetv.org/womenvisionsc.
The women recognized at Wednesday’s event are listed below. Click the hyperlink to access pictures of each. A full gallery of pictures from Wednesday’s event can also be accessed on SCETV’s flickr page.
- Karen Alexander, Auntie Karen Foundation President and CEO
Producer, songwriter and author
- Hope Blackley, Office of U.S. Representative William Timmons District Director
Former Spartanburg County Clerk of Court
- Elaine T. Freeman, ETV Endowment Founder
Executive producer, “South Carolinians in WW II”
- Jennifer Gutierrez-Caldwell, Pendleton Place Director of Youth Services
- Heather Holmquest, Maritime Association of South Carolina President
- Pastor Nannie Jefferies, Maranatha Free Church of Jesus Christ
Angels Change Ministry Founder and Executive Director
- Minor Mickel Shaw, Micco, LLC President
Chair of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission
- Anita Singleton-Prather (also known as Aunt Pearlie Sue)
Educator, storyteller and historian on the Gullah culture
- Inez Tenenbaum, Practices law at Wyche, P.A. in Columbia and Greenville
Former U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair
Former South Carolina Superintendent of Education
- Chief Justice (Ret.) Jean Hoefer Toal
Former South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice
Former South Carolina State Representative
- JoAnn Turnquist, Central Carolina Community Foundation President & CEO
Former chair, Richland County Library
QUOTES:
"This initiative and the airing of the upcoming television special on May 9, as well as all other related programming on SCETV and S.C. Public Radio, is a big win for our organization and our state. Although last night only marked the inaugural “Women Vision S.C.” event, I can ensure that this initiative and our efforts to recognize women leaders throughout South Carolina will continue.” –SCETV President and CEO Anthony Padgett
“I’m extremely proud to see this idea come to fruition after months of planning and excitement. There many trailblazing women making an impact across South Carolina, and this opportunity to shine a light on a few of them is truly inspiring." –Former SCETV President and CEO and “Women Vision S.C.” Executive Producer Linda O’Bryon
FIVE FAST FACTS:
- South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV) recognized 11 women leaders from across the state yesterday at the organization’s “Women Vision S.C.” event.
- Portions of the evening’s ceremony were taped for an upcoming television program, scheduled to air May 9 at 8 p.m. eastern on SCETV.
- Segments highlighting all 11 award recipients will be featured on “Palmetto Scene,” beginning May 2 at 7:30 p.m. and continuing on subsequent, new episodes of the show.
- “Women Vision S.C.” is an initiative that focuses on issues affecting women throughout the state and the nation.
- A full gallery of pictures from Wednesday’s event can also be accessed on SCETV’s flickr page.