Mitch Bettis
The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame is long overdue.
About 18 months ago, the team at Arkansas Business Publishing Group began talking about a way to showcase women making unique contributions throughout the state. Thirty years ago, Arkansas Business published a series of magazines highlighting the top 100 women in the state in an attempt to promote greater gender diversity in corporate leadership. We started talking about the anniversary of those publications and the best way to celebrate the achievements of Arkansas’ women.
Little did we know that North Little Rock Chamber President and CEO Terry Hartwick was having similar thoughts. He had impaneled a chamber committee to evaluate whether the organization should launch the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame.
A year ago, both of these efforts came together.
When Terry asked if ABPG would help create a sustaining effort to honor women who have made unique contributions to our state, it was an easy “yes” for us. Since then, the two organizations have worked side-by-side to create the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame.
There is a board of talented women and men helping lead this effort. A separate selection committee was formed to vet more than 70 applications for this inaugural class of inductees. Everyone involved represents different parts of our state and different walks of life, but they have in common a desire to bring attention to women who have been an important part of our state’s tapestry for more than 170 years.
There is no question the inaugural group of honorees meets the criteria for selection. What’s also without question is that there are many more women — contemporary and historical — who deserve consideration for future induction. This Hall of Fame will be a permanent way to honor each of them.
Another exciting part in this endeavor is the creation of a traveling exhibit available for groups to showcase at their own events. We also hope to have it at schools and activities across the state where young girls and boys can be introduced to these extraordinary honorees. Maybe, at that defining moment, each of these young people will say, “If they can do it, so can I.”
I’m thankful so many businesses and individuals have partnered with us for this endeavor. To co-opt a phrase associated with one of our honorees, “it takes a village” to get a project like this off the ground, and the volume of support has been humbling.
The event on Aug. 27 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock will be special not only because we get to induct an accomplished group of honorees, but because we also set in motion an effort to honor our state’s extraordinary women for years to come.
Mitch Bettis
President & Publisher
Arkansas Business Publishing Group
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