Introducing this year's Academy for Women of Achievement inductees, 'all purposeful, bold leaders'

The Tennessean

A Davidson County judge and a veteran television news anchor are among those to be honored this year as part of the Academy for Women of Achievement.

They join a select group of women who work in education, construction, health equity and business consulting — all of whom were chosen for their contributions to the local community and the example they set for others.

The 2019 honorees are Gail Carr Williams, associate director of community relations at Vanderbilt University; Beth Chase, senior managing director at Ankura; the Honorable Ana Escobar, Davidson County General Sessions judge; Mendy Mazzo, corporate senior vice president at Skanska; Dr. Consuelo Wilkins, vice president for health equity at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and Vicki Yates, news anchor and reporter for WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5.

The Hon. Ana Escobar (center) smiles as she is announced as a honoree in the 2019 Academy for Women of Achievement. Escobar became the first Hispanic person to be elected judge in Nashville when she won her campaign for general sessions court in 2018.

Bank of America is the 2019 corporate honoree.

They will be honored at the 28th annual AWA celebration and induction dinner at Music City Center on Oct. 24.

"This year’s Academy for Women of Achievement honorees are all purposeful, bold leaders who do what’s right for our community," said Tara Scarlett, a YWCA board member and event co-chair. "Each has an amazing and intentional heart, and we are inspired by their leadership and honored to celebrate their accomplishments."

Gail Carr Williams, right, is among those to be honored this year as part of the Academy for Women of Achievement.

The Academy for Women of Achievement was launched locally in 1992 by YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee to honor the diverse and important contributions of women in the workforce and in the community.

The judging committee, which is composed of business and community leaders and the YWCA executive committee, chose the individual and corporate honorees from a list of nominees. This year’s recipients join 165 other women who hold this distinctive honor.

They serve as role models both in their achievements and their humility.

Vicki Yates speaks with her daughter, Torri Yates-Orr, while recording their weekly podcast, "Wild Wisdom Women," at home in Old Hickory, Tenn., on April 3, 2019.

"To be honest, when I got the call, I thought for sure it was a joke," said Yates, who has been in Nashville TV broadcasting for 29 years. "I was completely surprised, but when I realized it was an honest gift, I just took it and thought 'wow.'

"It still feels like I don't deserve it. There are so many wonderful women who go out and do so many wonderful things. I am just honored."

MORE: TV anchor Vicki Yates and her daughter get real in their weekly podcasts

Reach Jessica Bliss at jbliss@tennessean.com or 615-259-8253 and on Twitter @jlbliss.

Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway is announced as one of the 2017 AWA honorees by First Tennessee's Rita Mitchell.