Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame announces 9th class

The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHOF) has released the names of its ninth class of inductees — seven women and one organization that have made significant contributions to the state and their respective fields and stand as positive examples for women everywhere.

The inductees, who will be honored at a special ceremony on Thursday, August 21st, at the Statehouse Convention Center-Wally Allen Ballroom in Little Rock, are:

Contemporary
Margaret L. Bogle, PhD – Dr. Margaret L. Bogle spent 23+ years of her professional career in Arkansas. She was the first full time registered dietician hired for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She was the first dietician to be appointed by the Governor of Arkansas as Chair of the First Arkansas Board of Dietic Licensure. She was a founding member and served as President of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and President of the International Women’s Group.

Bettina E. Brownstein – Bettina Ellen Brownstein founded Progressive Arkansas Women PAC, the only organization in Arkansas dedicated to supporting, funding, and electing women leaders committed to reproductive freedom and women’s economic and social equality. She also served as lead and supporting attorney in a number of state and federal litigations seeking to improve conditions for women, especially regarding reproductive freedom.

Paula J. Casey – Paula Jean Casey was the first and only female United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas appointed by a President of the United States, leading a team of lawyers in criminal prosecutions and civil cases. As the rare chief prosecutor, she provided a role model for would-be female prosecutors. She was the first woman to act as the legislative director/chief counsel for Senator Dale Bumpers. She was one of the first female law professors at the UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law. She was also the first female interim dean at the UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law.

Regina H. Favors – Throughout her distinguished career, Regina “Reggie” Favors displayed exemplary leadership and inspired other women of color by breaking through the glass ceiling and rising to executive leadership at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Favors joined Arkansas Blue Cross as a claims processor in 1968 and steadily advanced to become President and CEO of Pinnacle Business Solutions, Inc. (PBSI), a subsidiary of the company, where she served until retiring in 2011. She also served on the board and as interim president of Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.

Stacie M. Jones, MD – Dr. Stacie M. Jones is an internationally renowned scientist. She is the Food Allergy Clinical and Research Program Director at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) and Professor of Pediatrics at ACH and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Alongside her patient care, she has shaped the research and discovery landscape, finding new therapies, improving understanding of disease, and providing a new horizon of health for children with allergies and asthma. She led a historic groundbreaking clinical research trial that produced the first oral immune therapy to treat peanut allergy.

Historical
Maud R. Crawford (1891-1957) – Maud Robinson Crawford founded Arkansas Girls State and was a trailblazer in the legal field in addition to serving in many other leadership roles including being the first woman to serve on the Camden City Council. She was the first female lawyer in Camden, Arkansas. She had the highest score on the Arkansas Bar Exam in 1927. In 1957, she mysteriously disappeared from her home at age sixty-five. Her body was never found, and the case was never solved.

Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni (1888-1970) – Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni lived and worked in Arkansas for most of her life, significantly impacting the state through her work as a poet, organizer, and promoter of poetry. She was instrumental in establishing Arkansas’ annual Poetry Day and was named the state’s first female poet laureate in 1953, a title she held until her death in 1970. As a poet, literary organizer, and advocate for the arts, she created spaces for women to express themselves creatively and gain recognition for their work.

Group
All American Red Heads Basketball Team – The All American Red Heads Basketball Team was the first women’s professional basketball team in the country. The professional team was purchased and moved to Caraway, Arkansas in 1955. It was originally formed in the 1930’s in Missouri. The All American Red Heads (1936-1986) spent 31 of their 50 years with a home base in Caraway. The team elevated the status of women in business as well as basketball. The team promoted the advancement of women and women in sports before it was a popular movement. The success and fame was one of many things that laid the groundwork and demonstrated the need for the Title IX federal legislation.

“Simply put, the goal of the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame is to honor, in perpetuity, women whose contributions have positively impacted our beloved state,” said Board Chair Stacy Hurst.

The AWHOF inducts contemporary (living) or historical (deceased) women who have been born in and achieved prominence within the state, or been a resident of Arkansas for an extended period after achieving prominence here or elsewhere.

Tables and tickets to the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony can be purchased at ARWomensHallofFame.com.