Sterling Awards 2025
20 Most Influential Women of West Tennessee
and
Outstanding Woman Military Veteran Award
Sue Shelton White, 1887-1943 Sue Shelton White Award
The Sterling Awards 2025: 20 Most Influential Women of West Tennessee, Outstanding Woman Military Veteran Award and Sue Shelton White Award were created by Jackson Area Business and Professional Women to honor women in the West Tennessee area who have achieved a significant level of success.
General Criteria
• Nominee lives or works in West Tennessee outside Shelby County.
• Nominee is a leader in business or her profession.
• Nominee serves as a role model to other women in her profession and community.
• Nominee displays creativity and innovation and contributes these talents to the growth of her profession.
• Nominee contributes time and energy to community betterment.
The Sue Shelton White Award is given to a female attorney in West Tennessee who is a community activist and who has worked to create or change legislation to improve the lives of women and children in the state of Tennessee.
The Outstanding Woman Military Veteran Award honors a West Tennessee woman who has served her country with distinction and now offers her skills and commitment to her community.
Nomination forms are due: By noon, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Winners will be notified: Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 27-28, 2025.
Winners’ photographs will be taken: Sunday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Memorial Hall. Please arrive by 12:45 p.m.
Winners’ bios are due by noon on Friday, Feb.14.
The Sterling Awards 2025 ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the J. Walter Barnes Conference Center at Jackson General Hospital.
Nomination forms may be obtained at JacksonAreaBPW.com or from Mary Jo Middlebrooks, 731-423-2234.
E-mail your nomination to: mmiddl9469@aol.com; or mail to: Mary Jo Middlebrooks, Middlebrooks & Gray, P.A., PO Box 1985, Jackson, TN 38302; or deliver to the office of Middlebrooks & Gray at 470 N. Parkway, Suite C, Jackson, 38305.
Questions: Call Mary Jo Middlebrooks, 731-423-2234.
Sterling Awards 2025 Application
Please check the category that best describes the area of business for the nominee:
___ Government and Public Service
___ Small Business/Entrepreneur
___ Business and Technology
___ Service (community, non-profit)
___ Education
___ Labor/Manufacturing
___ Healthcare
___ Legal
___ Other
____Yes. Retired Military Veteran. Please consider for Outstanding Woman Military Veteran Award.
____Yes. Female attorney. Please consider for Sue Shelton White Award. A community activist who has worked to create or change legislation to improve the lives of women and children in Tennessee.
Note: These categories are provided to indicate that the nominees reflect a wide range of careers and skills. Awards will not be given in each category.
Date: ________________
Nominee’s Name: ______________________________________________
Company: ____________________________ Title: _____________________________
Business Address: ____________________________________________
Home Address: ________________________________________________
Home Phone: ______________ Business Phone: _____________ Cell:_____________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Submitted By: _____________________________________________________
Company: ________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _______________ Business Phone: _____________Cell:_____________
Email Address: ___________________________________________________
1. Using the above criteria, please attach a 1-page detailed summary stating why this woman is deserving of the Sterling Awards 2025.
2. If available, please attach a current resume (2 page maximum) for the nominee.
3. Personal letters recommending the nominee enhance the nominee’s opportunity for selection by highlighting something special you know about this person, above and beyond the resume.
jacksonareabpw.com 