Knoxville’s first woman mayor awarded inaugural leadership award

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero on Friday became the first recipient of the Lizzie Crozier French Women's Leadership Award.

The Lizzie was presented to Mayor Rogero at the East Tennessee Women's Leadership Summit in recognition of her ongoing dedication to the principles set out by the award's namesake.

Lizzie French was the first woman to address the Tennessee General Assembly and the Tennessee Bar Association, as well as the first woman to run for Knoxville City Council.

Mayor Rogero is Knoxville's first woman mayor.

The recipient of The Lizzie must demonstrate these leadership characteristics that were part of the life of Lizzie Crozier French:

• An outspoken leader who publicly supports the advancement of women.
  
• Demonstrates unwavering courage in the face of difficulty.
  
• Works boldly and consistently towards positive and lasting change
  
• Supports and empowers other women through her work.

Mayor Rogero worked with Ceasar Chavez in her early days, went on to work with Knoxville's Promise and she's now helping the city of Knoxville create sustainable change in neighborhoods. 

"Lizzie Crozier French made history for women in East Tennessee. Although it has been a long time coming, Madeline Rogero has continued that tradition by making history herself.  What a treat it is to recognize a woman of substance like Madeline Rogero," said Co-chair Wendy Pitts Reeves in a press release.