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Article published Mar 23, 2008 AAUW Crystal Award finalists announced
By Linda Braden Albert of The Daily Times Staff
Three women have been chosen as finalists for the American Association of University Women's 2008 Crystal Award. On March 31, one of these community-minded women -- Robin Devereaux, Sharon Hannum or Patricia Sparks Thompson -- will be honored as the recipient of the award, which recognizes the contributions of an individual in working on behalf of women and girls in Blount County.
"I've been excited about the Crystal Award since its inception," said Autumn B. Hall, Crystal chairperson, 2008 AAUW Crystal Award Celebration. "I've met so many women and men who work hard to help girls grow into healthy women and help women gain education and confidence. I want the community to know who they are, and I want young women to recognize that there are role models for them right here.
"Our past finalists include attorneys, educators, a domestic violence advocate, a coach and a nurse. This year the finalists are a dance instructor, a community foundation president and another director of a resource center for women facing domestic violence. Hearing the stories of these women you realize how strong and courageous they are. Most of them have overcome significant challenges to be in a position now to help other women. They really are a source of hope and inspiration."
Difficult choice
Nominations were accepted by AAUW from the community, with an independent panel judging the nominees. Those nominated must have been a female or male over age 18 who lives or works in Blount County. He or she must have contributed over time or in a significant way to the educational, physical or spiritual well-being of women and girls; worked to improve social, economic or political conditions for girls or women; and is a person who inspires others. Only women received nominations this year.
"It was very difficult" to choose the finalists, Hall said. "Three of the AAUW Tennessee state officers were the judging panel. None of them live in Blount County, and the information was sent to them blind. They didn't have any idea who the people were, they just had the narrative. I think they had to struggle with it because there were some really top-notch, exceptional women nominated this year. I wish we could give the Crystal Award to every one of them. They all deserved it."
The theme of the 2008 Crystal Award is "Who inspired you." The award celebration is AAUW's Women's History Month event and is presented through a community enhancement grant to the Women's Equity Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of AAUW Maryville. Refreshments will catered by Grounded, and Camille Crumpton, with the Maryville High School Harp Ensemble, will provide harp music.
The finalists are:
Robin Devereaux.
Robin Devereaux was nominated by her students at Dream Street Infusion Dancers, a dance company she founded and designed to allow children with problems such as childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin resistance, low self-esteem, shyness, depression, etc., to gain confidence and acceptance. In the nomination, the students talked of how much confidence they have gained by participating in the program and how Devereaux's example encourages them all. They wrote: "The instructor tell us, if we give up before trying then we already failed. ... She keeps on going, sometimes she gets down, but always gets up. She says we have to control our issues. If we let the issues control us, we will never get out of the mud hole, one will only sit and spin.
"Some of us might become great dancers; some of us will go to college and be lawyers. Some teachers, who knows! But whatever we do will be because of Dream Street. It's not just a step; it's been a huge boost to finding the hidden person in each of us. Because of her we have pushed the past aside, pushed open the locked doors and now walking the path to our futures with our heads up instead of looking down."
Sharon Hannum
Sharon Hannum, who retired in 2007 as senior maintenance planner for Central Services at ALCOA Inc., was one of the first female, African American supervisors in a very traditional, very male company when hired in the early 1970s, according to her nomination. Although she was in a very difficult position in those early years, Hannum persevered and finally gained the respect of even some of the men who had treated her the worst. She was often called upon in later years to mentor the young women, especially African American women, who joined the company.
Always a community leader, Hannum has worked in countless ways to help children and youth. She served on the board of Youth Leadership Blount, chairs the Alcoa City Schools Foundation, and is involved in numerous leadership roles. Her faith is extremely important to her, and she is heavily involved in a new women's ministry at St. Paul AME Zion Church called Sister to Sister. The ministry includes discussion groups, seminars, fellowship activities, trips and newsletter with information important to women. The ministry continues to evolve, with plans to reach out and mentor young black girls as well as women in the community struggling with domestic violence, housing, work and educational issues. A ministry to women in prison is also planned.
Hannum is the first woman ever appointed by the Blount County Commission to serve on a committee of citizens charged with monthly inspections of the Blount County jail.
Patricia Sparks Thompson
Patricia Sparks Thompson, president and founder of Joshua Resource Center, was raised in a violent, abusive home in Blount County. According to her nomination, "She knows first hand the devastating effects of domestic violence and physical abuse, as well as alcohol and drug abuse on the individual and the entire family -- sometimes for generations to come."
Thompson's faith enabled her to escape the shackles of domestic violence and she offers that same hope to other women through JRC. "She has established a safe haven where women can find unconditional acceptance and, through a multi-faceted program, they are given the tools to change the direction of their lives," the nomination reads. "One of the benefits of this program is the realization that these women are now able to dream and visualize a better way of life and thereby pass this optimism to their families and, in turn, to future generations. The ability to dream of a better future is nothing short of a miracle when you have been in the depths of an unending nightmare." More than 140 women have completed the program to date.
Importance of Crystal Award
According to information provided by AAUW, despite the progress made in improving education and economic opportunities for women and girls, there is still much work to do.
Tennessee women rank 50th out of 51 in the nation in overall economic status. Less than half earn enough to support themselves and their families, and Tennessee women still earn only 73.5 percent of every dollar earned by their male colleagues.
Only 15 percent of Tennessee women have a college degree, compared to 22 percent of women nationally. Only 78 percent have a high school diploma, compared to 83 percent on average at the national level.
Teen pregnancy is a high cost. Fully female caretakers headed 95.7 percent of the almost 200,000 families served from 1996-2001 by Families First (our welfare to work initiative). Of those, 42 percent had their first child before age 18. In addition, Tennessee ranks 50th in child support enforcement, trapping women in a vicious cycle of low education, low pay, limited childcare and no way out.
Domestic violence hurts all Tennesseans. The annual cost of domestic violence in this state alone totals approximately $36.4 million in labor loss, child well-being, housing, social service, health care and criminal justice.
Eight-one percent of girls in Blount County report having experienced some form of harassment during their school lives.
By establishing the AAUW Crystal Award in 2004, the group intends to bring light and honor to the women and men of Blount County who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of education and equity for the betterment of all.