By Dr. June
NASHVILLE, TN — Dr. Phyllis Qualls has been elected national vice president of Les Gemmes, Inc. The election took place during the 27th annual Biennial Conclave, April 10-14 in Atlanta, GA. With the full support of the Nashville Chapter and members representing 29 other chapters, she garnered the top votes to earn the position. This Conclave was one with the highest attended and included remarks from Dr. A. Louis Keith the chair of the National Council of Negro Women.
“I am deeply honored to have been elected to this position. It is a great responsibility and I appreciate the trust,” said Dr. Qualls.
Dr. Qualls has been a member of the Nashville Chapter since 2012 and has served on various committees both locally and nationally, and she headed the public relations committee both on a local and national level. She is currently president of the Nashville Chapter closing out her second term. Her term as national vice president began after the election this weekend.
The Nashville Chapter was established in 2004 with founders Edwina Hefner and Evelyn Fancher, who are still active in the organization. Other women joined them to make up the charter members, and the group has continually provided a service to the community. Charter members of the Nashville Chapter Rosetta Miller-Perry and Hortense Price Jones were also in attendance at the Conclave.
Les Gemmes, Inc. (French; means “the Jewels, and pronounced “lay gem”), was founded in September 1955 in Norfolk, VA by four young ladies who had grown up as friends from childhood. Les Gemmes, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, civic, and cultural purposes; and is committed to promoting positive influences within local communities.
According to the National President Constance Davis “Our 2022 – 2024 National Program continues to build upon the vision of our founders. Les Gemmes, Inc. is an organization of distinguished women, empowered to revive and change communities to realize their full potential.”
“I am very proud of Phyllis taking on this task and I know she is poised to carry out the responsibilities with zest, zeal and a strong commitment. I was honored to nominate her,” said Edwina Hefner, former national president and member of the Nashville Chapter. Dr. Qualls has served as chair of the public relations committee, vice president and president of the Nashville Chapter.
Dr. Qualls earned her Doctorate of Education Degree from Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt, her Master’s Degree in English from Tennessee State University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and English from the University of Southern Mississippi, her native state.
“I look forward to serving with the entire administration, led by President Connie Davis. Together we will live up to our motto and continue the growth of the organization, ‘Upward, Onward, United We Stand’,” added Qualls.
The Nashville Chapter is the largest in the entire group with nearly 60 members strong. The signature project is the “Lighting the Path for Girls Initiative,” where members mentor, support and help to mold young girls from the ages of 13 through college, and provide scholarships for their continued academic pursuits.