Cokie Roberts speaks at ‘100 Incredible Women’ event
GREENVILLE, NC — Political commentator and news analyst Cokie Roberts wove stories from her own family—her mother was the first woman from Louisiana elected to Congress—with those of trail-blazing women from American history during her Oct. 17 visit to Greenville.
Hosted by the Women’s Roundtable at East Carolina University, “A Legacy of Leadership: One Hundred Incredible ECU Women” honored 100 alumnae recognized by their peers as outstanding leaders in their respective fields. The categories were public service, performing arts, fine arts, business and industry, sports, education, health sciences, media, professional and research.
“These women being honored here today are remarkable women in every field,” Roberts said before her speech. Earlier in the day, Roberts met on campus with 24 students from the College of Fine Arts & Communication, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education and College of Business.
Dr. James Bearden director of the BB&T Center for Leadership helped organize the Q&A session with Roberts for the students.
“The students asked good questions about her career, politics, women’s roles and opportunities in American politics and society in general, and the upcoming presidential election,” Bearden said. “They enjoyed hearing her talk about her father, and later, her mother serving in Congress. Her political background along with her news analysis made her a wonderful speaker for this event and for the students.”
Approximately 800 people attended the event at the Greenville Convention Center.
The Women’s Roundtable works to advance ECU’s role as a force for enhancing the health care, cultural, educational and economic climate of the region and state.
An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Roberts is a senior news analyst for National Public Radio, where she won the Edward R. Murrow Award, and a political commentator for ABC News. She has covered the U.S. Congress, politics and policy for 15 years.
Roberts is also the author of the national bestseller “We Are Our Mother’s Daughters” and “Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation.” Published in 2004, the book explores the lives of the women behind the men who wrote the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
The 100 alumnae of ECU honored are as follows:
Alison H. Atkins, Performing Arts
Irene F. Bailey, Fine Arts
Edna Earle Baker, Public Service
Judy B. Baker, Public Service
Cassandra D. Bell, Fine Arts
Lisa D. Benton, Business/Industry
Margaret E. Bishop, Fine Arts
Rebecca Y. Bloxam, Education
Emily S. Boyce, Education
Carolyn J. Breedlove, Education
Susan C. Brooks, Business/Industry
Suzanne J. Brooks, Business/Industry
Judith H. Budacz, Education
Lisa R. Callahan, Sports
Shirley A. Carraway, Education
E. Carol Carrere, Education
Madge S. Chamness, Health Sciences
Gloria A. Chance, Business/Industry
Joyce G. Cherry, Education
Maggy M. Costandy, Business/Industry
Beverly Cox, Fine Arts
Michele C. Daenzer-Sapp, Business/Industry
Nancy W. Darden, Public Service
Deborah C. Davis, Health Sciences
Jane M. Dillard, Performing Arts
Patricia C. Dunn, Public Service
Linda R. Edwards, Health Sciences
Laura L. Elliott, Public Service
Susan W. Engelkemeyer, Education
Janet P. Ennis, Media
LaRue M. Evans, Public Service
Beth G. Everett, Business/Industry
Janice H. Faulkner, Public Service
Pansie Hart Flood, Fine Arts
Barbara B. Fore