The American Lung Association in Tennessee during a reception Tuesday, December 3 at Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough announced the 2013 Women of Distinction. The ladies will be honored at the 29th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon, scheduled to take place Tuesday, April 29 at the Chattanooga Convention Center from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, which benefits the American Lung Association in Tennessee, is a Chattanooga tradition that honors one Tennessee Woman of Distinction; ten Chattanooga women who have distinguished themselves within their family, career, and community; and three to five high school seniors.
This year, two Bradley County Women of Distinction also were chosen. Two more will be added next year. The following year, Bradley County will have its own Women of Distinction event.
The 2014 Tennessee Woman of Distinction is Kim Criswell, musical entertainer and actress. The Young Women of Distinction have not yet been announced.
The 2014 Chattanooga Women of Distinction are: Cherilyn Bryant, Deborah Ingram, Janet Jobe, Stacey Johnson, Virginia Love, Donna Roddy, Krystal Scarbrough, the Honorable Christie Mahn Sell, Pat Stark, and Amy Thomas.
The 2014 Bradley County Women of Distinction are Pat Fuller and Sissy Figelstagler.
Lynda Minks Hood, executive director of the Chattanooga Bar Association, is chairing this year’s event.
Hood paid tribute to Maxine Alper, who passed away recently. “She was a role model to everyone. All of us looked up to her. We will greatly miss her,” she said.
This annual event benefits the American Lung Association in Tennessee and its mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States. In Tennessee, lung disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and cancer affects more than 814,000 children and adults.
“More and more woman are dying of lung cancer,” said Shirley Cudabac, development director of the American Lung Association in Tennessee. “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”
Monies raised from the Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon help fund medical research, advocacy and education here and nationwide.