Local Nonprofit Co-Founders Among Most Influential in West Tennessee

JACKSON (April 9) — Dr. Julie Hill and Stacie Freeman, MSSW, were honored by the Jackson Area Business and Professional Women as winners of Sterling Awards 2024: 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee.

Hill of Union City and Freeman of Dresden, the co-founders of Global Citizen Adventure Corps, a nonprofit travel, service, and education organization, were honored for their many years of service to their students and their contributions to the community.

Global Citizen Adventure Corps partners with Bethel University to provide transferable college credit for its programs to locales such as Guatemala, Mexico, Italy, and Brazil. High school and college students as well as community members make up the volunteer teams.

Both Hill and Freeman are educators and business owners.

The Sterling Awards 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. The criteria include the nominee living/working in West Tennessee outside Shelby County, serving as a leader and role model in business or her profession, displaying creativity and innovation to the growth of her profession and contributing time and energy to community betterment.

In his nomination letter of Freeman and Hill, McKenzie Banner editor Joel Washburn underscored the two women’s dedication to providing travel service-learning opportunities to students who are from Title 1 high schools and often first-generation university students. He noted the establishment of the nonprofit makes possible the fundraising needed to supplement the participants’ travel costs. Washburn also serves as the GCAC Vice Chair.

Winners this year are Crockett County: Meredith Marbury; Dyer County: Vanedda Webb; Fayette County: Dr. Versie Hamlett; Haywood County: Sheronda Green, Dr. Stephanie Barnes; Henderson County: Amy Allison; McNairy County: Jessica Huff; Obion County: Dr. Julie Hill; Weakley County: Stacie Freeman; Madison County: Olivia Abernathy, Tausha Alexander, Renee Jones, Lauren Kirk, Wendy Mercer, Monique Merriweather, Dr. Mechelle Moragne, Leigh O’Neill, Rachel Ryan, Melinda Reid, and Brenda Triplett.

The Sue Shelton White Award winner is Rayna Bomar, Career Law Clerk, US District Court.

The Outstanding Woman Military Veteran Award honors is USMC Master Sergeant E8 (Ret.) Gloria Holiday, Chester County.