The Women’s Business Alliance named Alicia Michael as the 2014 Woman of the Year during the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce WBA awards luncheon. In addition to the award presentation, author Cassandra King was the featured speaker sharing messages from her book, The Same Sweet Girls Guide to Life: Life Lessons From a Failed Southern Belle.
Cricket Strickland, 2013 WBA Woman of the Year, introduced Michael to the sold-out audience. Michael became the sole owner of Carrollton Collision Center in 2002 after working as office manager and becoming a partner in 2000.
An active Rotarian, she served as president of the Carrollton Dawnbreakers Club from 2008-2009. Other positions in her local club include service projects director and fundraising director. She has been recognized as the Dawnbreakers Rotarian of the Year and has received the Leadership Award, John T. Lewis Mentor Award and the Excellence Award. She is currently serving in a state leadership role as District Governor.
Michael’s activities with the Chamber include service on the board of directors and she was named the Chamber’s 2010 Small Business Person of the Year. She is the current Executive Director of Carroll County’s Certified Literate Community Program LIFT (Literacy is for Today and Tomorrow).
This WBA award was created to honor a well-rounded woman who excels in her professional life and gives back to her community. Nominees are strong role models inspiring and empowering women to pursue opportunities while working to enhance the community. This year, there were 14 strong nominees.
Author Cassandra King spent her life cultivating a love of reading which she tries to share with those around her. As a college professor, a huge sign in her office stated: Those who do not read have no advantage over those who can’t.
“A writer doesn’t make up life, she reflects it,” said King. This lesson was learned after she attempted to write on subject matters about which she had no personal knowledge.
“You have to write what you know,” her husband author Pat Conroy told her.
“I just didn’t know it would be so hard!” she reflected. “But I knew I would never be a writer if I was afraid to tell my story. I cannot stick to safe subjects and still be true to myself.”
King concluded her remarks by stating, “Some say we lose ourselves in a good book, but in truth, we find ourselves.”
The Women’s Business Alliance is a program of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce to promote the balanced interests and lifestyles of the community’s professional women. Sponsors of the organization include Remax United/Paula Waters, State Farm Insurance/Jill Duncan, Carrollton Collision Center, Systems & Methods, Inc., Tanner Health System, and West Georgia OB/GYN.
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CUTLINES
Alicia Michael (center) was named the Women’s Business Alliance 2014 Woman of the Year during the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce WBA awards luncheon. Jill Duncan (l), WBA chair, and Cricket Strickland, 2013 winner, made the presentation.
Author Cassandra King (seated) signs one of her books for Robin Collins following her program during the WBA awards luncheon.
