For the second year running, Arkansas Business Publishing Group handpicked some accomplished Arkansas women for its self-created Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame. This year's class of eight -- nine if you include a group of 18 charming ladies representing the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas -- were lauded at a lengthy reception, dinner and award ceremony the night of Aug. 25 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
The honorees seemingly conquered every frontier, from health care and politics to education, philanthropy and business. The sisters were honored as a group while Kay Kelley Arnold, Cathy Cunningham, Lottie Holt Shackelford, Patti Upton, Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders and Pat Walker were celebrated in a category for contemporaries. The late Drs. Bettye Caldwell and Betty Ann Lowe were remembered as historic figures.
The women were guests at an early VIP reception in an area of the convention center, then introduced to a much larger gathering that included friends, sponsors and some of the inaugural Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame inductees.
Walker and Upton were unable to attend, but June Upton accepted the award for her grandmother. Mandy Macke, director of the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Inc., accepted Walker's award on her behalf.
Roughly 570 people attended the ceremony.
Each honoree had to be nominated and was chosen using criteria including positive impact on women and girls, contributions to their community and state, and accomplishments as they relate to the betterment of individuals everywhere -- a tall order, but abundantly fulfilled by those selected.
"The women we have been able to induct in the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame have changed the lives of Arkansans for generations to come," said Mitch Bettis, president and publisher of Arkansas Business Publishing Group. "Whether their influence has been in business, public policy, arts, civil rights, health care or education, these women have left a lasting footprint on Arkansas and the nation."
Arnold -- a Bill Clinton staff member when he was Arkansas governor, first Arkansas director of the Nature Conservancy's field office and most recently vice president of public affairs for Entergy Corp. -- was nominated by her brother, commercial real estate broker Hank Kelley Jr.
"Kay's invitation to be included in the Women's Hall of Fame has been so exciting for our family because the award highlighted her character and many accomplishments," he said. "Imagine the joy felt by our parents at her recognition and their ability to share the ceremony with her. Kay was born to lead."
High Profile on 09/04/2016