The American Lung Association’s 30th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon, scheduled to be held Friday, April 24 at the Chattanooga Convention Center, will honor the 2015 Tennessee Woman of Distinction and a number of the Chattanooga area’s most accomplished women, all of whom have distinguished themselves within their family, career, and community.
Among the honorees will be attorney Dana Perry, a shareholder at the law firm of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel. Perry specializes in Elder Law and does estate planning work. From 2009 to 2013, she was the managing partner at Chambliss. Perry’s shares her thoughts about being chosen as a 2015 Woman of Distinction below.
What were your thoughts when you learned you’d been chosen as a Woman of Distinction?
I was very honored to have been chosen, especially considering the women who have been Women of Distinction in past years, and the other ladies on the list this year.
In what ways have you been active in your community?
My current board positions include Chair of the Board of the Urban League of Chattanooga, the WTCI Board, and the River City Board.
What motivates you to contribute to your community?
I’ve been fortunate to have a career as a lawyer for 25+ years in this community, so I think it’s important to give back. I also enjoy meeting new people I might not otherwise have gotten to know.
Can women contribute in any unique or special way to their community?
I think it’s important to have men’s and women’s voices in the community and political sphere.
Do you feel it’s important to specifically recognize women for their contributions to a community?
Yes! I feel women still tend to be more comfortable as team players and reticent to step forward. Sometimes, really capable women don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Do women still face unique challenges in the workplace or when contributing to their community?
I’ll just say I recently read “Lean In,” and a lot of Sheryl Sandberg’s observations about women in the workplace rang true to me.
Do you have any words of encouragement or support for other women out there?
Strive to look for the positive side of any situation, even a bad one, or at least learn from it. I think I’ve been well served through challenges to at least try to adopt a “glass-half-full” philosophy.