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University of Memphis President Shirley Raines has been selected to receive the “E” Award (for Excellence, Equity, and Economic Advocacy for Women) from the Tennessee Economic Council on Women. The award is presented to women who have distinguished themselves in a specific field or life commitment that has contributed to improving the lives of girls and women in Tennessee.

The three “E” award recipients will be honored at the annual Economic Summit for Women on Monday, Oct. 19, in Franklin, Tenn.

“The Tennessee Economic Council on Women is pleased to announce that it has selected Dr. Shirley C. Raines, first woman president of the University of Memphis and the only female president of any public university in Tennessee, as the West Tennessee recipient of the 2009 E-Award,” said Ellen Vergos, a Memphis attorney and secretary of the Women’s Economic Council Foundation. “This award recognizes Dr. Raines’ leadership and guidance of the University in the completion of building projects such as the FedEx Institute of Technology and the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, her outreach in the business community to build productive partnerships for the University to establish and enhance programs and opportunities for students, and her community involvement and leadership in several non-profit organizations.”

Keynote speakers at the Economic Summit will include author, activist, and lecturer Gloria Steinem, former Vermont governor Madeline Kunin, leadership/strategy expert Dr. Carole Leland, and communications specialist Beverly Inman-Ebel.