2008 Humanitarian Awards Honorees and InformationJoe Birch
Joe Birch co-anchors Action News 5 at 5, 6 and 10 o’clock weeknights on WMC-TV.
Gayle Rose
Gayle S. Rose is the Principal owner and CEO of Electronic Vaulting Services (EVS) Corporation, a managed data backup and disaster recovery company in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2005, she was named one of Tennessee’s 100 Most Powerful People by Business Tennessee magazine. She also received the Economic Excellence and Equity Award from Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s wife, Andrea Conte. Rose is most well-known for landing the NBA basketball team, the Memphis Grizzlies. As a result of her efforts, the Public Relations Society of America named her the 2001 Communicator of the Year. She is Co-founder of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, and was internationally recognized in 2007 as one of two women awarded the Changing Face of Philanthropy Award from the International Women’s Funding Network. She is also the Chairman of the Rose Family Foundations private charity. Mary Lynn Perl
Well-known Memphis philanthropist Mary Lynn Perl was honored at the International Lion of Judah Conference in Washington D.C. on September 10. Mary Lynn Perl has been a devoted and energetic volunteer for Memphis Jewish Federation since 1969. With the roar of a LION, Mary Lynn Perl leads the pack in women’s Jewish philanthropy in Memphis, Tennessee.“My life is committed to women’s philanthropy,” said Mary Lynn, who believes that tzedakah is first learned at home. “The woman is the leader of the family; she establishes the household. When tzedakah is a priority to her it becomes a priority for her husband and their children.” Mary Lynn was raised in a home where her parents lived out tzedakah everyday. In 1999, at the annual Lion of Judah Recognition Program, Mary Lynn was honored by Memphis Jewish Federation with a Woman of Valor Award “in grateful recognition of her dedication and inspiration.” As she passed the Lion of Judah torch to the next generation, she stepped into an even more demanding and difficult role - to encourage Lions of Judah to endow their annual gifts for funds to meet the needs of future Jewish generations. Memphis boasts having 85 Lions, 20 of whom are LOJE’s.
Gid Smith
Gid Smith recently retired from the Community Foundation after leading them during an uprecedented growth. Gid is currently President emeritus and still keeps busy helping whomever needs assitance. His work in the non-profit arena is well know, he is deeply respected and his advice is frequently sought. He truly has made a difference in our community for a long period of time. Mark L. Stansbury
Mark L. Stansbury, Sr., was first appointed to the position of Assistant to the President of The University of Memphis in October 1989. His most recent and fourth appointment was made in July 2000 by the eleventh and first woman president of the University, Dr. Shirley C. Raines. A native Memphian, Mr. Stansbury has earned the distinction of community leader, having contributed his expertise to such local organizations as: E 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District; Selective Service Board No. 38; Memphis Race Relations and Diversity Institute; and the University of Memphis Foundation Board of Directors; Goals for Memphis; Leadership Memphis Alumni, Vice President and President; NAACP Freedom Fund Gala Coordinator; Public Relations Society of America, President; and the Steering Committee for the United Negro College Fund. He was a founder of Diversity Memphis, an organization which fights to eliminate bigotry. |