Women of Inspiration!

• Jeannette Pickering Rankin
  First female member of Congress
  Elected to U.S. House from Montana in 1916 and 1940
  Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund annually gives educational scholarships to low-income women 35 and older across the U.S.
  "I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won't be the last."
• Beverly Jeffries, R.N.
  Campus President, Virginia College in Columbus
  First African American Female Campus President in ECA history
  Began career as a nurse, then became adjunct instructor in Jackson in 2001
  Seeing students reach their career goals affirmed her career change
  "If your heart is in it, you can do it."
• Sara Lawhorne, Ed.D.
  Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, ECA
  Highest-ranking woman ECA executive
  Began as adjunct instructor in Huntsville in 2004
  As Regional VP, helped add 3 east coast campuses in 2010
  "I tell my students, 'Be like a frog—always jump forward, not back.'"
• Katherine Graham
  First woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company, The Washington Post Company
  Publisher of The Washington Post from 1963 until 1979
  Implemented pioneering gender equality measures in the workplace
  "I believe democracy flourishes when the government can take legitimate steps to keep its secrets and when the press can decide whether to print what it knows."
• Carol Moseley Braun
  In 1992, became the first African American female elected to U.S. Senate
  Born on Chicago's south side to a medical assistant and a police officer
  Appointed by President Clinton as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand in 1999
  "Continued effort, dedication to fairness and confidence in the cause are necessary ingredients for democracy."
• Christine Adams
  Student Financial Review Specialist, ECA
  Survived complete loss of home in Birmingham tornados of April, 2011
  Overcame subsequent health problems, work absences and a fraudulent contractor
  With help from UAB doctors, lost 130 pounds over 18 months
  "I want to start a support group that helps obese people learn that it's not about being skinny, but being healthy."
• Denise Bode
  CEO of American Wind Energy Association, national trade association of U.S. wind energy industry
  Recently named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of most powerful women in Washington, D.C.
  Powerful advocate for creation of strong Renewable Electricity Standard
  (About acting as a catalyst, at age 13, for rule changes in U.S. House permitting girls to serve as congressional pages) "That really gave me the bug. I realized after that that I really wasn't good, or as happy, as an observer. I was much happier as a doer."
• Annika Sorenstam
  LPGA Golfer
  Most successful female golfer in history, winning 90 international tournaments
  In 2003, became the first female golfer to play on a PGA tour in 58 years
  Tops LPGA career money list with earnings of over $22 million
  "I just try to mind my own game, hit one shot at a time and kind of stay in the present."