• Linda Chavez-Thompson
• Jane Smith, Ed.D.
• Maryanne Connelly
• Cheryl Haworth

Linda Chavez-Thompson

Born to cotton sharecropper parents in Lubbock, Texas, Chavez- Thompson began her trade union career as a union Secretary for the Laborers’ International Union.  She also served in several positions with both the San Antonio local and Texas council of AFSCME, where she was responsible for advancing legislative, political action and education programs, as well as conducting every level of grievance procedures for membership representation.  Chavez-Thompson was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the President’s Initiative on Race and as the Vice Chair of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Jane Smith, Ed.D.   Maryanne Connelly    Cheryl Haworth

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Jane Smith, Ed. D.

Dr. Jane Smith served as president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) from 1998 to 2000.  The NCNW is supported by a membership that includes 38 national women’s organizations and more than 250 community- and college- based sections.  Currently, Dr. Smith serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the East Lake Community Foundation in Atlanta.  The East Lake Community Foundation is a bold and unique urban development initiative dedicated to developing a neighborhood that provides true access to equal opportunity for its residents, who have been locked in poverty for generations.

Dr. Smith is also a member of the Board of Selectors for the American Institute for Public Service, and is an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the Mary McLeod Bethune Institute for girls.  Dr. Smith was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the National Women’s Business Council and by Secretary of State Albright to represent the United States as an official delegate at the United Nations Beijing Plus Five Conference.  She has been appointed to numerous city planning commissions and has served on many local boards, including the Girl Scouts, Cities in Schools and the United Way.

Linda Chavez-Thompson  Maryanne Connelly    Cheryl Haworth

Maryanne Connelly

The former mayor of Fanwood, New Jersey, longtime NOW member Maryanne Connelly is committed to electing feminists to public office.  Connelly ran an exciting campaign for U.S. Congress, taking on her own party’s machine to win the primary.  While she was narrowly defeated by her right-wing opponent in the general, Connelly is a mentor to women in politics.  She promises to share the lessons she has learned from her campaigns and her two-decades as an activist.  NOW is proud to honor Connelly with a 2001 Women of Courage Award.
 

Jane Smith, Ed.D.   Linda Chavez-Thompson  Cheryl Haworth

Cheryl Haworth

At the age of 17, weightlifter Cheryl Haworth won a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics last year.  The strongest woman in the United States, Haworth runs the 40-yard dash in 5.5 seconds, does full leg splits and 30 inch vertical jumps – proving that athleticism comes in all shapes and sizes.  In a culture where unnaturally thin super-models reign, Haworth challenges stereotypes and demonstrates that women of substance are winners.  NOW is excited to honor Haworth with a 2001 Women of Courage of Award.
 

Jane Smith, Ed.D.   Linda Chavez-Thompson  Maryanne Connelly

• National Conference 2001 Information