Member of TN BPW/USA

Media Release: 2006 BPW Woman of Achievement

Local Business and Professional Women's president Jacque Hillman, left, and Jackie Utley, chair person, present the 2006 Woman of Achievement award to Doris "Cousin Tuny" Freeman, center, at the organization's Brown Bag Lunch program on Monday, Oct. 16, which kicked off the celebration of National Business Women's Week

The Jackson Business and Professional Women named Doris Freeman their Woman of Achievement for 2006 today at the Brown Bag Luncheon held at the Jackson-Madison County Library in conjunction with National Business Women’s Week, October 16-20.

Ms. Freeman has been very active as a businesswoman throughout her life.  She began in radio advertising sales with WDXI, then went into television, developing “The Cousin Tuny Show.”  She also worked at WJAK radio.  She managed the Old Hickory Mall for 7 years and then worked in public relations for Jackson Madison County General Hospital.  Ms. Freeman retired from her position at the Hospital. While raising four children as a single working mother, she still devoted many hours to the Cerebral Palsy Center telethon and to the Exchange Club/Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.  She has also worked at Camp Bluebird for cancer patients, entertaining there for many years.  She is a close friend of Dianne Odell and goes to visit Ms. Odell on a regular basis, as well as entertaining at benefits for Ms. Odell.

She was chosen the Altrusa’s Woman of the Year in the 1960s and says that she’s the only one given that award who is still living.

            One of the highlights of her career on stage came when she starred as Dolly Levi in the Jackson Theater Guild production, “Hello Dolly.” She received glowing reviews of her outstanding performance in that role.

            In the past several years, she has become a published author with two books, “Cuz” and “Tunyisms, etc.,” published by Main Street Publishing.

            Ms. Freeman has four children: Pat Little, Cindie Haynie, Jim Freeman, and Connie Prince.  She has four grandsons and two great-grandsons. Jackson BPW President Jacque Hillman said, “Doris Freeman is truly an inspiring woman who we are all blessed to know. She truly embodies the Business and Professional Women’s motto, ‘Women Helping Women.’  We are so pleased to present her with this award.”

The Woman of Achievement Award is given annually by Jackson Business and Professional Women in conjunction with National Business Women’s Week.  Past recipients of this award are: Justice Martha Craig Daughtrey, Carol Carter-Estes, Helen Herron, Veronica Coleman, Anita Battershell, Caprice East, Mary Tyler, Shirlene Mercer, Judge Christy Little, Kay Gibson, Karolyn Henry, Beth Bates, Terri Kozlowitz,  Pat Alford, Jacque Hillman, and Jackie Utley.

For more information:  Linda Higgins 731-427-6681