Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame names its 10th class

The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHOF) has released the names of its 10th class of inductees — seven women who 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 Aug. 27 at the North Little Rock Event Center’s Centennial Bank Ballroom in North Little Rock. The AWHOF is guided by a board of directors, who earlier this year empaneled a selection committee to seek nominations from the public and help choose the class.

“The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the remarkable women whose enduring contributions have made a lasting impact on our state,” said Board Chair Stacy Hurst.

This year’s inductees include:

Cynthia East – East graduated from Hall High School and earned a BA in English from the University of Arkansas. After early work in Kansas and Little Rock, she founded Cynthia East Fabrics in 1977. She has been involved in community service, with leadership roles in organizations such as the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Camp Aldersgate, and the Junior League of Little Rock, and a strong commitment to Little Rock Public Schools.

Marsha Martin – Martin is a product designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, and the founder of Onyx Brands Inc. After beginning her career at Walmart’s corporate office, she launched Onyx and grew it into a nationally recognized brand, later partnering with a private equity firm in 2021 to support its continued expansion.

With a background in cosmetology, she helped pioneer key innovations in nail care and expanded the brand into a wide range of accessible beauty and personal care products sold at major retailers nationwide.

Cynthia E. Nance – Nance is dean and the Nathan G. Gordon Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law, where she has served on the faculty since 1994 and led as dean in two terms. A graduate of Chicago State University and the University of Iowa, her teaching and scholarship focus on labor and employment law, poverty law, and leadership in the legal profession.

She has held leadership roles with the American Bar Association, the Association of American Law Schools, and the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Nance is also widely published and has presented on legal issues across the United States and internationally.

Sharon Allen (1944-2021) – Allen was a leader in Arkansas’ health insurance industry, spending more than four decades with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Beginning as a claims clerk in 1968, she rose through the ranks to become the company’s first woman president in 2002. She championed initiatives in Arkansas to expand access, promote wellness, and improve health outcomes. A dedicated advocate for women in business, she mentored countless others and was honored for her philanthropic leadership. Her legacy endures through her lasting impact on healthcare and the ongoing recognition of excellence in her name.

Phyllis Dillaha Brandon (1935-2020) – Brandon was an Arkansas journalist who discovered her passion for writing early and earned a journalism degree from the University of Arkansas in 1957. As one of the few women reporters at the Arkansas Democrat, she covered the 1957 Central High integration crisis and helped found the Women’s Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools.

She later led efforts that uncovered price-fixing in school milk contracts, resulting in a landmark antitrust case. In 1986, she founded the High Profile section of the Arkansas Democrat, where she spent more than two decades highlighting influential Arkansans. Widely honored for her impact, she left a lasting legacy in journalism, public service, and storytelling.

Dorothy Reddell Caldwell (1935-2023) – Caldwell was a leader in child nutrition, education, and community service whose work transformed school meal programs at every level. Beginning as a teacher and later serving as Director of Food and Nutrition in Lee County, she modernized school meal systems and expanded access to breakfast and healthier options. She went on to lead child nutrition efforts for the Arkansas Department of Education and held national leadership roles, including president of the School Nutrition Association. After her husband’s death, she also became a newspaper publisher and the first woman president of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce.

Vada Webb Sheid (1916-2008) – Sheid was an Arkansas legislator and the first woman to serve in both the state House and Senate, with a public career spanning five decades. She began her service as Izard County welfare director and later entered politics, winning election as Baxter County treasurer before serving in the House and Senate. She focused on education and infrastructure, helping establish Arkansas State University–Mountain Home and North Arkansas College. She also played a key role in advancing highway improvements and the construction of bridges over Norfork Lake.