Women of Excellence 2008

Women of Excellence
50 Women of Excellence honored at the Gem Chrystal Johnson

High-heeled decorated chocolate shoes were the signature trademark of the Women of Excellence high tea celebration last Friday at Detroit’s Historic Gem Theatre.

Fifty of Metro Detroit’s professional women were celebrated and awarded with engraved serving trays and decorated chocolate shoes provided by National City Bank, the presenting sponsor.

From Detroit’s Chief of Police Ella Bully-Cummings to Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick these women represented the professionals in our community who continue to strive for excellence.

These African-American women were nominated for their dedication, integrity, high standards, proven records of success, contributions, and unwavering courage as leaders in the African-American community.
Beautiful teacups and fresh flowers graced the tabletops while the women were pampered with champagne, refreshments and decadent deserts. The Michigan Chronicle along with National City, McDonald’s, Global Hue, Carol’s Daughter, Mercedes Benz, Green Room Spa, Mahogany Tasters, Korbel and MGM Grand Detroit Casino produced the special event.

“As we continue to strive for excellence, despite these peculiar times we are living in, let’s remember that we are all women of excellence,” said Cheeks-Kilpatrick.

Detroit’s famous on-air personality, John Mason emceed the event that included more than 150 guests of the honorees.

“We celebrate the Women of Excellence in our community because they are courageous, extraordinary and uphold the highest levels of conviction,” said Karen Love, Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan Chronicle. “We have a sanctuary of professional women in Detroit who continue to help build a community of pillars and for that we are proud.”

This event will mark an annual celebration of such women in Detroit. These women have helped to build, fortify and propel Detroit to its Renaissance. They strut their stuff, wielding their power to build bridges, filling gaps that fortify the community. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, “Though I'm grateful for the blessings of wealth, it hasn't changed who I am. My feet are still on the ground. I'm just wearing better shoes.” This message was given to the women with their decorated high-heeled chocolate shoes; representing their grace, grandeur, power, elegance and style.



The 2008 Women of Excellence are:
Pamela Alexander, Director, Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services; Jocelyn Allen, Senior Communications Manager, OnStar; Roberta C. Archer, Judge, Michigan's 36th District Court; Lenora Ashford, Principal, Lewis Cass Technical High School; Christine Beatty, Chief of Staff, City of Detroit; Emma Bell, Chairwoman, Michigan Women's Commission; Delores Bennett, Executive Director & Founder, North End Youth Improvement Council; Carolyn Bogerty, Vice President of Human Resources, American Laser Centers; Betty Brooks, Vice Chairman, Brooks Group International; Ella Bully-Cummings, Esq., Chief of Police, Detroit Police Department; Connie K. Calloway, Ph.D., Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools; Vivian Carpenter, President, Supreme Communications; Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick, Congresswoman, State of Michigan- 13th Congressional District; Georgea Cole, Domestic Violence Home Director, Victory Outreach Detroit; Wanda Cook-Robinson, Superintendent, Southfield Public Schools; Frankie Darcell, Radio Personality, Mix 92.3; Linda D. Forte, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, Comerica Bank; Marilyn French Hubbard, Corporate Vice President, Organization and Community Partnerships, Henry Ford Health Systems; Brenda Gilchrist, Marketing Outreach Representative, Detroit Medical Center; Carol Goss, Chief Executive Officer, Skillman Foundation; Karla Hall, Manager, Corporate Contributions & Community Involvement, DTE Energy; Delora Hall-Tyler, President, First Media Group; Barbara Hannah, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Women's Center/Health Care Physicians, PLLC; Kim Harris Jones, Vice President & Chief Controller, Chrysler L.L.C.; Joyce Hayes-Giles, Senior Vice President, Customer Service, Detroit Edison and Michigan Consolidated Gas; Deborah Hunter-Harvill, President, National Alliance of Black School Educators; Diana Jones, Vice President of Community Affairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Janie Kinloch, Triumph Church; Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale, Managing Partner, Foley & Lardner, L.L.P.; Denise Langford-Morris, Judge, Oakland County Circuit Court; Brenda L. Lawrence, Mayor, City of Southfield; Denise J. Lewis, Partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn; Bella Marshall, Chief Operating Officer, Wayne County; Patricia Maryland, Dr.P.H., President and Chief Executive Officer, St. John Health; Juanita Moore, President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles H Wright Museum of African American History; Carmen N'Namdi, Principal, Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit; Juliette Okotie-Eboh, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs and Administration MGM Grand Detroit Casino; Pam Perry, Chief Visionary, Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc., Annette Rainwater, President Emeritus, National Congress of Black Women; Vivian Rogers Pickard, Director, Corporate Relations, General Motors; Suzanne F. Shank, President and Chief Executive Officer (Partner), Siebert Branford Shank & Co., L.L.C., Jennifer Smith, Director of Multicultural Marketing, Pepsi Bottling Group; Angela Spencer Ford, Vice President of PR & Events, GlobalHue; Linda Swanson, Executive Vice President, Swanson Funeral Home, Inc.; Lorna Thomas, M.D., Dermatologist; Kimberly Trent, Director, Governor's Office SE MI State of Michigan; Rhonda Walker, TV News Anchor, WDIV- Local 4; Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Surgeon General, State of Michigan; Sophie Womack, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Detroit Medical Center; Jacqueline Woods, Director, Motorcity Casino.