Women’s History Month is designed to celebrate the women and their contributions to history. With the help of the National Women’s History Alliance and President Jimmy Carter, March 8th was designated Women’s History Week. As time went on and the week was continuously celebrated, in 1987, Congress claimed March as Women’s History Month.
The stations of Beasley Media Group Fayetteville are honoring some of the women who have played a part in making our community great over the years. We’ll have new bios appearing all month, so check back to see and hear inspiring stories from the champions of Fayetteville and our region.
Proudly Presented By
Abby Ortiz
We would like to salute Abby Ortiz, Owner and President of A1 Supply. A1 is a woman-owned small business that offers products that are safe to the environment and the personnel using them.Abby started her company in 1990 right here in Fayetteville. Her company truly is here to help our businesses and residents stay healthy.
When you hear the name Abby Ortiz… Abby IS A1. She lives and breathes her company, A1 Supply. Abby has always put her customers first and will do anything that she can to help folks in our area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she used every resource she had to stay stocked so people could get what they needed when they needed it.
Through the years, Abby has had several setbacks, but used those to get set up for success. Abby is a self-made success, and we thank her for her contributions to our area.
Olga "Bo" Thorp
Today we honor CFRT Founding Artistic Director Olga “Bo” Thorp, dedicating 50 years to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. As one of the longest tenured female Artistic Directors in the U.S, Olga believed in the power of the arts and its ability to inspire joy, compassion, and understanding. As the heartbeat of CFRT since 1963, we celebrate the life and work of Olga “Bo” Thorp this Women’s History Month. Bo died on October 14, 2022, leaving behind an unmatched legacy in our community.
Tammy Thurman
Tammy Thurman is a #1 Bestselling Author, philanthropist, motivational speaker, mentor, community leader, radio talk show host, executive producer, and Woman of God. She is the founder and CEO of A Nation of Sisters. As CEO of A Nation of Sisters she empowers, inspires, and motivate a multitude of females of all ages and color to be the best they can be to themselves and their communities. During her 20-year tenure in the natural gas industry, she has held numerous positions and is currently the Sr. Community Relations and Government Affairs manager for Piedmont Natural Gas. Tammy builds sustainable relationships with key community stakeholders, and appointed community groups.She holds several advisory board seats to include North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Advisory Board Committee, Event Judge for Ethics Bowl Competition, Greater Fayetteville Chamber Military Advisory Council Board Member: SIM conference Chair and previous USO of North Carolina @ Ft. Bragg. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County “True to Yourself” Black History month committee member. She is a previous Board member of United Way of Cumberland County Board of Directors: Marketing Chair, Greater Fayetteville Chamber Board of Directors: former Vice Chair, 2022 Board Chair; CEO/President Search/Nominating committee Chair. She is currently a Cape Fear Valley Medical Hospital Board Trustee: Compensation and School of Medicine committee member. She is a current Board Trustee at Fayetteville Technical School. She is a previous Co Chair for Go Red for Women under the American Heart Association. She has been recognized for outstanding business partnership with Cumberland County Schools, support with the Armed Services YMCA, USO of NC at Ft. Bragg and as an ambassador for Leadership Ft. Bragg.
Tammy is a two-time Athena Award nominee, United Way of Cumberland County Loaned Executive of the Year, an alumnus of Leadership North Carolina, a recipient of the prestigious 45 under 45 of St. Augustine’s University and the prestigious 2019 Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from St. Augustine’s University and is a licensed Elder at her church.
Carolyn Justice-Hinson
Carolyn Justice-Hinson has 32 years’ experience in the communications field and has managed external and internal communications at PWC for 25 years. Since establishing PWC’s first Public Information office in 1997, her role and responsibilities have grown from traditional media relations and customer communications, to also include an extensive digital communications, internal communications, and community relations program, as well as other areas of public affairs. In 2012, she became one of PWC’s first female officers when she was named Communications/Community Relations Officer.
During her tenure at PWC, the Communications/Community Relations (CCR) Office has created/coordinated the communications/implementation of major PWC customer projects including AMI meter deployment, system-wide LED streetlight conversion, mandatory Time-of-Use electric rates, Phase V Annexation Utility retrofit projects, and Community Solar. In addition, CCR manages crisis communication for major events including Hurricane Florence in 2018. Among her roles and responsibilities are Coordinator of PWC’s annual United Way Campaign which has earned 16 United Way of North Carolina’s “Spirit of NC” awards. She is the producer the PWC Connections TV Show which earned a Telly Award, recognized by National Videographers as the highest industry standard. PWC’s community involvement and support also earned the American Public Power Association’s Community Service Award in 2005, 2012 and 2021.
A native of Jacksonville, N.C., and a 1989 graduate of East Carolina University, Justice-Hinson began her career in collegiate athletics where she served as ECU’s Assistant Sports Information Director from 1990-1997.
She is a past Chair of the American Public Power Association’s Public Communication Section, as well as the Past Chair of the Methodist University Board of Visitors and the Cumberland County Air Quality Stakeholders (AQS). She currently serves on the United Way of Cumberland County’s Board of Directors and Development Committee and is a member of Fayetteville’s NetWorth Professional Women’s Association (Past President), the Women’s Giving Circle, and Rotary Club of Fayetteville.
A 1998 graduate of the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fayetteville Program, Justice-Hinson served as program Chairman in 2014-15 and served for many years as Lead Faculty for the Program’s Adult and Youth Government Days. She was selected as the 2012 Leadership Fayetteville Alumni Associations’ Alumni of the Year. She is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the N.C. Government Information Officer Association, the N.C. City and County Communicators Association (NC3C), and the Public Relations Alliance of Cumberland County. In 2019, she received the NC3C Chris Coulson Communicator of the Year award and in 2021 was awarded the United Way of Cumberland County’s Employee Campaign Manager of the Year.
Debbie Milburn
Debbie Milburn retired from the US Army as a lieutenant colonel after 28 years of active and reserve service. She also retired from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center after 30 years of service as a clinical dietitian providing critical nutrition support in the ICU, medical wards and Nursing Home Care Unit. She always described her work as an honor to care for those who served and loved taking care of military members and veterans and their special needs. She co-owns and operates the 3 UPS Stores in the Fayetteville area for the past 27 years. She become highly involved when protocols for COVID-19 were needed and worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of customers and employees. Debbie believes in our community and has given her time and monetary resources to those in need in our area, supporting nonprofit organizations such as The Women’s Giving Circle. When she is not working at her stores, you can find Debbie on the tennis court or visiting her 5 grandchildren.Presented by
The UPS Store Print & Sign Shop
439 Westwood Shopping Center
Fayetteville, NC 28314
910-860-1220
