“Know your worth, step into your power, know your grace, and bring other women along.” That was the message Chandra Alston, EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, vice chancellor for Human Resources at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, presented Tuesday at the 2022 Women’s History Month Luncheon on the Memphis campus.
The luncheon in the library of the Mooney Building was organized by UTHSC Campus Police Chief Anthony Berryhill and UTHSC Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operations Officer Ken Brown, JD, MPA, PhD, FACHE, to recognize the women on the Campus Police Department, as well as Dr. Brown’s direct reports and guests.
It was a time for networking, conversation, and encouragement.
“On behalf of all the people on this campus and all the people you come in contact with, I want to say thank you,” Dr. Brown told the women in attendance.
“It’s important for the citizens of this community that you have accepted the challenge you’ve accepted,” Dr. Brown said, speaking to the campus police and security officers, who keep the campus and the Memphis Medical District safe.
Campus Police Captain Joanne Morrow was proud that the department’s nine female police officers and 10 female security officers were being recognized. “It’s empowering to know there’s a sense of caring for women and what they contribute,” she said.
Campus Police Lieutenant Celia Tisby observed that awareness of March as Women’s History Month has grown in recent years. “Seeing organizations and businesses acknowledging women, I think that is awesome,” she said.
Dr. Alston, who will become the chair of the board of Literacy Mid-South this summer, brought along a stack of books that illustrated women and the contributions they make to literature and society. The organization donated them for the event. Each guest had the opportunity to take some home. “Some of the books contain stories that reflect the experiences of more underrepresented groups,” she said. “We wanted to encourage attendees to engage diverse and inclusive literature.”
Each woman in attendance was given a yellow rose. “I selected the yellow rose because it represents grace, joy, gratitude and admiration,” Chief Berryhill said. “Thank you for what you do.”
