Feb. 6-7
Women’s Policy Conference
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich will speak at the kickoff dinner for the annual statewide Women’s Policy Conference Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Westin Chattanooga. Known for inspiring the Oscar-winning film “Erin Brockovich,” she advocates for clean water and environmental equity.
The conference will convene women from across Tennessee to discuss health, safety, economic opportunity and leadership. The Chattanooga Mayor’s Council for Women will present the event, which will take place Feb. 6-7 at the Westin.
Judge Glenda Hatchett will headline the morning plenary session Feb. 7. Hatchett is the first African American chief judge of a state court in Georgia and the Emmy-nominated host of “Judge Hatchett.”
Alexis Smith, Miss Kansas 2024, will address attendees during the luncheon plenary session Friday. A cardiothoracic intensive care nurse, Smith works to raise awareness about abusive relationships.
Register
Feb. 6
Economics of Sports
The Scott L. Probasco, Jr., Distinguished Chair of Free Enterprise will present “The Economics of Sports” Thursday, Feb. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Wolford Family Athletic Center.
Chattanooga Times Free Press sportswriter Jay Greeson will moderate a panel discussion with Randy Boyd, president of the University of Tennessee System and owner of five minor league baseball teams, and Brad Humphreys, sports economist and professor of economics at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University.
The discussion will cover stadium financing, the shifting NIL (name, image, likeness) landscape and the public benefits of professional and amateur athletics.
The event is open to the general public and lunch will be provided. Register
Feb. 28
Chambliss Mardi Gras Gala
Chambliss Center for Children will host its annual Mardi Gras Gala Friday, Feb. 28, from 7-11 p.m. at The Read House Hotel in downtown Chattanooga. The event will feature Cajun cuisine, live Dixieland jazz and a silent auction. The evening will support Chambliss Center for Children’s programs, which provide affordable and accessible care to over 750 children. Reservations
May 3
Chattaderby
It’s time to saddle up for Chattanooga Room in the Inn’s annual Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser. Chattaderby is scheduled to take place Saturday, May 3 from 5-8:30 p.m. at The Signal. Expect cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Purchase tickets at givebutter.com/c/2025ChattaDerby. Room in the Inn is also seeking businesses, groups and individuals to serve as sponsors of the event. To inquire about sponsoring the event, contact Adrienne Koon at akoon@chattanoogaroomintheinn.com or 423 713-7059. Room in the Inn provides a six-month residential program for women and children experiencing homelessness.
May 8
Girls Inc. Sneaker Gala
The spirit of the late U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm lives on in the annual recipients of Girls Inc.’s Sole Awards, which recognize individuals who have made significant impacts in the fields of advocacy, medicine, education and sports. This year’s recipients will be honored at the 2025 Sneaker Gala and Silent Auction, which will take place Thursday, May 8, at the Chattanooga Convention Center at 6 p.m.
The 2025 Sole Award honorees are attorney Melody Shekari for advocacy, Dr. Yvette Stewart for education, Coach Venus Lacy for sports and Dr. Angela Smith Slack for medicine.
Shekari is the executive director of The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga. She serves on the boards of the ACLU of Tennessee and Chattanooga’s Industrial Development Board and volunteers as a pro bono attorney, election monitor and local election official.
Stewart is the assistant professor and literacy director at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Lacy is an Olympic gold medalist and the head coach of the Brainerd High School girls’ basketball team. Her hoops career spans international championships and groundbreaking moments in the WNBA.
Slack is board-certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics at Children’s Diagnostic Center.
Learn about Sneaker Gala sponsorship opportunities