Virtuous Women: Voices of Wisdom

By Omega Lambda Lambda

This Book Virtuous Women Voices of Wisdom is a compilation of autobiographies refl ecting upon their lives as they moved from one level of life to another. The voices are a soundboard to be heard by younger women to inspire them on their journey in this life.

I would like to give special thanks and acknowledgement to Charles Wilson of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Omega Lambda Lambda chapter in Tennessee. for your unselfi sh contributions and dedication to the women in this book and the many citizens around this state.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479745265

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Copyright © 2013 by Omega Lambda Lambda.

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Contents

Cathy L. Bender

Rev. Patricia Brock

Connie Denell Cato-Dickerson

Rev. Olivia M. Cloud

Rev. Janie Dowdy-Dandridge

Cassandra Easley

Danielle Frazier, President

Rep. Brenda Gilmore (D-TN 54th District)

Erica Gilmore

Rasheeda S. (Hakeem) Liberty

Senator Thelma Harper

JohnEtta Featherstone Hayes

Julie Ann Hopkins

Mrs. Sandra Diane Hair Hunt

Minister Vivian Gail (League) Jackson

Lorraine Jefferson

Connie W. Kinnard

Brenda S. McKinney

Juanita Murphy

Reverend Deborah Smith Owens

Dr. Katie Jane Kinnard White

Kayretha Monique Aiken McKinney White

Pamela Canice Williams

Division VIII— Rachel L. Bell

Cathy L. Bender

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Through personal commitment and ancillary to her profession, Cathy’s profile of influence and dedication to the personal growth and advancement of others is uniquely etched across her career beginning at a young age. Cathy was the fifth of eight children born to Reverend Charles and Odelia Bender. She grew up in the small town of Mt. Juliet, TN. From meager beginnings, Cathy was taught to embrace and value life’s most important gifts which were family devotion and high moral standards. The first in her family to attend college, Cathy graduated from Vanderbilt University. She was the second student in the University’s athletic history to receive a full four year scholarship for women’s basketball. With a clear vision and sense of purpose, she began her professional career with the E.I. DuPont Company to Textron Aerostructures and presently Merrill Lynch.

Cathy has been a recognized force in initiating and implementing events designed to heighten awareness of critical needs in the professional arena and expanding information resources so essential to professional success. Toward this end, countless professionals have lauded her endeavors. A financial Advisor for 23 years, currently she leads and participates in educational workshops for professional organizations and foundations. She served as an organizer and advisor of the Progressive Women’s Investment Club in 1989. She represented this club for 11 years and received national recognition from the National Association of Investment Clubs in 2001. The significance of the club’s existence, longevity and accomplishments led to its appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Cathy’s tenure at E.I. DuPont and later Textron Aerostructures provided springboards of success that have bred ongoing achievement at Merrill Lynch. She is a registered representative with the Security & Exchange Commission. A licensed advisor, she holds the Series 66 license and Series 7 license. Since 1988, she has held designation of Licensed Insurance Agent for the State of Tennessee in the areas of Life, Health, and Variable Insurance.

As a practicing professional, Cathy has charted an impressive chronicle of accomplishments. She achieved the Merrill Lynch Certified Financial Manager designation in 2002 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation in 2008. Currently, she holds the title of Vice President and Senior Financial Consultant. In 2001, she also received the Merrill Lynch 10-year success investment certificate. In 2000, Cathy was recognized as a Mover and Shaker in the business community by the African-American Guide to Nashville. She was a recipient of the Nashville Top 40 Future Business Leaders sponsored by Business Nashville Magazine and, in 1991 she received the Harlem YMCA Black Achiever in Industry National Award. Cathy has been recognized on numerous occasions as a member of the Merrill Lynch Executive and President’s Club.

Community service has always been of primary importance to Cathy. Of note, she has been particularly active as a Board member for Renewal House. As a past president, she worked closely with the Board to secure support and resources targeted for women with addictions and their families. Additionally, she also served as president of the Board of Bethlehem Center of Nashville for two terms. Her leadership resulted in the nomination of Board Member of the Year. She was selected for three consecutive terms by three different Mayors as a Board member of the Metropolitan Sports Authority Board where she currently serves as Secretary. Present and past community service activities include: South Eastern Conference Women’s Tournament Committee: Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni Association Board; League of Deaf and Hard of Hearing:; YMCA Foundation, Community Foundation; Predators foundation Board (Grant Committee); Girl Scouts Nominating Committee; Vanderbilt Athletic Director Search Committee; United Way (Finance Committee); NAACP; Friends of St. Thomas; Tennessee Minority Purchasing Council Expo; American Heart Association Fund raiser, served as Hero; the Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce and most recently appointed to a second term on the Vanderbilt Alumni Board and the Executive Board. In 2011, Cathy Co-Chaired the first Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni Endowed Scholarship and has successfully helped to raise over $100,000.00 to date.

Cathy has not only positioned herself as a highly successful professional, but has also engaged in varied community and civic endeavors to enhance the quality of life in the community. Numerous activities reflect her endeavors to foster success for others. In her words, my goal is to leave it better than I found it, wherever I go, and whatever the activity. Demonstratively, she was a finalist for the Kraft CPA Board Member of the Year representing Bethlehem Center. In the spiritual arena, she designed a workshop on "Stepping into Debt Free Living: for the Word Explosion. Cathy is the immediate past president of the Parthenon Chapter of The Links, Inc. She currently serves as Fundraising Chair of the organization. Cathy is a 1996 graduate of Leadership Nashville and a Life Member of the NAACP. She holds membership in the Nashville Chamber of Commerce as well as the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce. Other community involvement includes: The Lunch Bunch, a 2002 Athena Award Nomination, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority of which Cathy is a Life member and currently serves as Fundraising Co-Chair.

Cathy has distinguished herself as a quiet, but forceful strength in the public and private sector. Her professional accomplishments and civic participation demonstrate mission and vision in the human spirit. Repeatedly and in varied circles, she has applied her professional knowledge and skills to enhancing the opportunities for achievement and quality of life for others. Cathy is a member of Mays Chapel Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

Rev. Patricia Brock

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Rev. Patricia Brock is a native of Nashville, TN. She spent her formative years growing up in the Preston Taylor Housing projects. Growing up in what is now called a single parent home; Patricia began the process of discovering who she was and how she was going to succeed in life. As a child, she was always very inquisitive and curious about everything and loved seeking answers to her queries.

Growing up was