Finally… the stories and secrets from the women who did it: work, succeed, pave the way for others to triumph. What did it take? What did they conquer? And where would you be if it weren’t for them? Many of these women were the first in their fields and are now ready to share their past, their secrets, and their personal stories. They have decided it is time to speak out…to candidly share what happened to them because they were women. It is important not to forget. But most people have.

What makes this book unique? They tell it like it really was and is today, stunning real-life stories. Pillars of their communities…with various ethnic backgrounds…from all across America…with careers ranging from airline operator to advertising executive to horse jockey to Brigadier General. They are extraordinary women of vision and determination: Women of True Grit are the “WOW” women for the history books. They are the infamous and the famous who have touched our lives for the better.

Women of True Grit will feature a variety of women from very diverse backgrounds. They range from unknown to well
known. But all of them, in the face of adversity and seemingly unattainable goals, exhibit a special kind of determination.

Their stories remind us of the hope that lies within each of us.

• Anne Abernathy “Grandma Luge” – world-record-holding Olympic athlete
• Terre Thomas –daughter of actor Danny Thomas and founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and sister of Marlo Thomas
• June Morris – the first woman to own an airline
• Ninon de Vere de Rosa – a successful model and International Award winning TV Host for “Kids Talk”
• Meredith Vieira – Today Show co-host and game show host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire
• Diane Crump - the first woman horse jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby
• Roxcy O’Neal Bolton – Florida human rights advocate
• Patsy Riley – Alabama’s First Lady
• Phyllis Diller – one of America’s favorite (and oldest) comediennes
• Delores Kesler – the first woman to take a company public on Wall Street
• Leatrice McKissack – retired owner of the largest African-American architectural and engineering firm in the United States
• Joanne Carson – former wife of Johnny Carson and lifelong friend of Truman Capote
• Laraine Heck – Cleveland, Ohio’s first woman of construction
• Justice Janie L. Shores – first woman elected to a United States Appellate Court
• Esther Paik Goodhart – Oriental self-described “beauty” comedian
• Anne Tolstoi Wallach – first woman to break the “glass ceiling” in the advertising industry
• Nancy Giles – Radio and TV Correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning NEWS
• Angelina (Angie) C. Torres –actress, starring with Glenn Close, Tommy Lee Jones, Salma Hayek
• Jeanne Harrison – producer of the first coast to coast television show; first woman in the Friars Club
• Jane M. Philo – spearheaded a woman’s nonviolence center in Mississippi
• Loretta Kaminsky – the first person to make chocolates in unusual forms, appearing in USA Today, the Today Show and Regis & Kathy Lee
• Dr. Judy Kuriansky – world-renowned psychologist, sex therapist and best-selling author of 12 books
• Nann Miller – dubbed the “Queen of Special Events” by the Los Angeles Times, she planned the first Special Olympics program with the Shriver family
• Joan Hull – famous women’s rights advocate and the first to challenge Wall Street’s corporate America
• Dr. Betty L. Siegel – a coal miner’s daughter; set firsts for women in the field of higher education
• Lorraine Miller – founder of a multi million dollar plant nursery and champion of women in business
• The Honorable Marilyn Logsdon Mennello – best known as the “First Lady of Tupperware”
• Shirley R. Martz – first female Certified Public Accountant in North Dakota
• Marjorie J. Weber – an early pioneer in investment banking in New York
• Margaret “Margo” Custer Ford – one of the 50 most influential people in the past 50 years in her industry
• Faye Heller – hauling and construction firm owner and nationally recognized business advocate
• Louise Harrison – the only sister of The Beatles, George Harrison, and producer of Liverpool Legends
• P. S. Terri Carr – one of the first “ladies” at IBM
• Pota Vurnakes Vallas – the American dream came true for this Greek immigrant
• Mary Eisenhower – granddaughter of the late President Dwight Eisenhower and CEO of People to People assisting people in need around the world
• Brigadier General, Wilma L. Vaught – USAF Retired; President of Women’s Memorial Foundation D.C.
• Martha Bolton – first woman staff writer for the legendary Bob Hope
• Barbara Dury- former producer for 60 Minutes

Authors

Edie Hand

Edie Hand’s philosophy for living life with gusto can be seen in everything she does as an acclaimed celebrity chef, author, philanthropist, speaker, and business woman. She has been the CEO of Hand N’ Hand Advertising, Inc. since 1976. Edie is actively involved with American Women in Radio and Television and the National Speakers Association. The Edie Hand Foundation works with special needs children. For more information go to these websites www.ediehand.com or www.ediehandfoundation.org

Tina Savas

Tina Savas is among the first wave of women entrepreneurs in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1983, she founded the Birmingham Business Journal newspaper, followed by Alabama Health News, Alabama Construction News, and Birmingham Weekly, the area’s only weekly alternative newspaper and continual winner of national editorial awards. Savas continues her entrepreneurial spirit through real estate investment and other business ventures. For more information visit www.womenoftruegrit.com