Girls Inc. of Chattanooga will honor the women it’s chosen as its 2024 UnBought and UnBossed honorees during the UnBought and UnBossed Sneaker Gala and Silent Auction May 4 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The event will celebrate outstanding achievements in STEM, education, advocacy and media.
The recipient of the Sole Award in STEM will be Lawanda Hayes, a senior project manager at Tennessee Valley Authority.
Dr. Sarah Lane, principal at Bess T. Shepherd Elementary School, will receive the Sole Award in Education.
Girls Inc. will honor Alison Lebovitz with the Sole Award in Media. Lebovitz is a motivational speaker, the host of “The A List” on WTCI PBS and the author of “Am I There Yet?”
Urban League of Greater Chattanooga CEO Candy Johnson will receive The Sole Award in Advocacy.
“These remarkable women embody the spirit and determination for which the UnBought and UnBossed event stands,” says Girls Inc. CEO Toccora Petersen, “and their contributions will serve as an inspiration to future generations.”
Girls Inc. announced the honorees at a reception Dec. 4 at Mac Avenue Event Space. The occasion marked the first step in a journey that will lead to the Honoree Tea in the spring. A new event, the Honoree Tea will be a small gathering that allows past UnBought and UnBossed honorees to engage with current honorees.
Following the Honoree Tea, Girls Inc. will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UnBought and UnBossed signature event as an evening gala.
Girls Inc. established the UnBought and UnBossed luncheon in honor of the late congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to run for president of the United States.
“Chisholm’s legacy of breaking barriers and championing equality aligns seamlessly with Girls Inc.’s commitment to empowering young girls to be strong, smart and bold,” says Petersen.
Tickets for the UnBought and UnBossed Sneaker Gala and Silent Auction will be available for purchase in January. Contact Jocelyn Loza at jloza@girlsincofchatt.org to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.