Woman selected for state award

LaFollette resident Phyllis Clingner has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious “E” Award for the East Tennessee Development District from the Tennessee Economic Council on Women. Ms. Clingner serves as a Families First Counselor in Campbell County and is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in the area. The Economic Excellence and Equity Awards (“E” Awards) recognize individuals from across Tennessee who have distinguished themselves in a specific field or life commitment that has contributed to improving the lives of girls and women. “The obstacles to economic self sufficiency in rural east Tennessee are many, but Phyllis never tires of finding new ways to reach out to women, to encourage them and challenge them to build better lives,” said Wendy Pitts Reeves who nominated Ms. Clingner for the award and is the Council’s representative from the East Tennessee Development District. Upon learning that she’d been selected for the award, Ms. Clingner said, “I am humbled by this award, and I know that there are a number of other women who are truly deserving of this kind of recognition. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a part of an effort to improve the quality of life for families in this region, and in my home county.” In addition to her daily work with women in the area, Ms. Clingner serves on the board of a domestic violence shelter, is the Immediate Past-President and current Vice-President of the LaFollette Business and Professional Women and a member of the Steering Committee to bring the Boy and Girls Club to Campbell County. She also chairs the Campbell County Christian Women’s Club and a member of the Coalition Addressing Juvenile Issues which is working to secure additional staff for juvenile court services in Campbell County. In nominating Ms. Clingner, Ms. Pitts Reeves said, “Her natural leadership ability brings her to the front of all projects with which she’s involved. Citizens and community leaders in two counties, Scott and Campbell, turn to her for ideas and action whey they need someone who can get things done.” The “E” Awards will be presented by First Lady Andrea Conte during the Third Annual Economic Summit for Women on October 23, 2006 at the Airport Marriott in Nashville. The event provides women from across the State with information to improve their personal and professional lives and the opportunity to network with others from a variety of backgrounds and careers. This year’s speakers include Governor Phil Bredesen, White House correspondent Helen Thomas, author Karenna Gore Schiff, and motivational speaker Dale Smith Thomas. The Tennessee Economic Council on Women was created in 1998 by the Tennessee General Assembly to assess Tennessee women’s economic status. The Council develops and advocates solutions to address women’s needs in order to help women achieve economic autonomy.