Special to Atmore News
Momentum, Alabama’s premier leadership organization dedicated to empowering the state’s female leaders, announced last week its 2022 Woman of Impact Awards winners. The awards honor four outstanding women doing extraordinary work to positively impact the lives of others in community, business, culture or politics in Alabama.
The honorees, including Poarch Band of Creek Indians CEO and Tribal Chair Stephanie Bryan, will be recognized during Momentum’s Biennial Leadership Conference on March 17 during the Women of Impact Luncheon. The conference will be held at the Birmingham Jefferson Conference Center.
“Women make up more than half of the U.S. workforce, yet they still face serious challenges, especially in receiving recognition,” said April Benetollo, chief executive officer of Momentum. “Momentum is working hard to change that, and we are so proud to highlight these special women who go above and beyond every day to help others and move our state forward.”
Bryan not only is involved with the legislative aspect of the Tribe, but also oversees all tribal operations including Tribal Government, Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority, and PCI Gaming Authority.
Prior to being elected CEO in 2014, she had served as vice-chair of the Tribal Council since 2006.
A life-long member of the Poarch community, she has been an active and effective advocate for her tribe on both a local and national level. She has worked with numerous legislative committees as well as multiple Native American organizations such as the National Indian Gaming Commission, National Indian Gaming Association and United South and Eastern Tribes.
The other 2022 honorees are
- Sarah Savage-Jones, president of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, will receive the Barbara Royal Woman of Impact Award, which has been presented since 2018 to a woman whose contribution has had a significant impact on the advancement of women in Alabama.
- Bobbie Knight, who in 2019 was elected as the 15th president, and first woman, to serve as president of Miles College.
- Cathy Sloss Jones, president and chief executive officer of Sloss Real Estate Company in Birmingham.
“These Women of Impact are a shining example for emerging leaders of what women can achieve, particularly with the types of training, networking and mentoring that organizations like Momentum provide,” Benetollo said.