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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Program honors local women at Chattanooga Convention Center

Bea Lurie, President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, speaks at the Girls Inc.'s 12th annual UnBought & UnBossed awards luncheon  Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Bea Lurie, President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, speaks at the Girls Inc.'s 12th annual UnBought & UnBossed awards luncheon Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
photo Terri Wright speaks at the Girls Inc.’s 12th annual UnBought & UnBossed awards luncheon Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Honorees

Girls Inc. participant Terri Wright honored Mical Traynor, executive director at Chattanooga Women’s Leadership InstituteGirls Inc. participant Komal Patri honored Dr. Neslihan Alp, engineering management and technology department head at UTC’s College of Engineering and Computer ScienceGirls Inc. participant Jahlah Johnson honored Nancy Ridge, a retired program director.Girls Inc. participant A’Keia Colley honored Carol George, the market executive for Tennessee Valley Merrill Lynch.Girls Inc. participant Yarelis Forte honored Sharon Braden, a regional business development manager at Thompson Engineering.Girls Inc. participant Hadessah O’Neal honored Lynne Mulligan, an educator in language arts and social studies at St. Nicholas School.Girls Inc. participant Anaya Griggs honored Monique Berke, vice president, business transformation for CBL & Associates Properties Inc.Girls Inc. participant Ebony Boston honored Mukta Panda, M.D., professor of medicine, assistant dean for medical student education, and director of the transitional year program for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.Girls Inc. participant Macy Hammon honored Jessie Fincher, the guild center and adjunct dance professor for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Terri Wright said she was a shy and unsure third-grader when she started attending Girls Inc., but after nine years in the nonprofit support organization for girls, the graduating senior calls herself unstoppable.

“I am prepared to be strong, smart and bold in all aspects of future decision making,” Wright wrote in an essay that Girls Inc. President and CEO Bea Lurie read to hundreds of people Wednesday attending the 12th annual UnBought and UnBossed Awards at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Wright, who earned a full scholarship to Spelman College through the National Girls Inc. and Bonner Scholars programs, was among nine high school students in the Girls Inc. Women’s History Project responsible for selecting the nine UnBought and UnBossed awards honorees.

Honorees included Dr. Neslihan Alp, Nancy Ridge, Carol George, Sharon Braden, Lynne Mulligan, Monique Berke, Mukta Panda and Jessie Fincher.