Alumna named 2007 Glamour Magazine ‘Hero'
Although shes accustomed to being in the spotlight for various honors and awards, Austin Peay State University alumna Tamira Cole, records clerk in the APSU Office of the Registrar, is excited about two recent honors.A former resident of Jackson, Cole majored in English at APSU, so she was delighted to learn that, out of more than 2,000 candidates, she was selected to attend this summers Journalism in a Free Society seminar at Bryn Mawr College, Philadelphiathe alma mater of the first female president of Harvard University.
Although she's accustomed to being in the spotlight for various honors and awards, Austin Peay State University alumna Tamira Cole, records clerk in the APSU Office of the Registrar, is excited about two recent honors.
A former resident of Jackson, Cole majored in English at APSU, so she was delighted to learn that, out of more than 2,000 candidates, she was selected to attend this summer's Journalism in a Free Society seminar at Bryn Mawr College, Philadelphiathe alma mater of the first female president of Harvard University.
As if that weren't enough, Cole is to be featured as a Glamour Magazine Hero for 2007 in the July issue of the magazine. After reviewing hundreds of nominations, Glamour's editorial board chose only eight heroesincluding Cole, who was nominated by Sharon Tubbs, Jackson, who was her 4-H extension agent. Cole serves on the National 4-H Board of Directors.
In the article, “She builds bridges between the races,” Tubbs says that Cole, who grew up in a single-parent family, is a hero because she always remained strong in the face of daunting circumstances.
“(Tamira) has triumphed as the only black member of the previously all-white campus chapter of her sorority (Chi Omega), and she encourages unity in every project that she pursues,” wrote Tubbs.
Cole designed two programs to help young people develop leadership skills and learn how to set goals. Tubbs said, “In 2004, she created an auction that raised hundreds of dollars for charities in Tennessee.
“Most recently, she coordinated Operation Fairy Godmother, which collected dresses to enable low-income high-school girls to attend their proms.
“Tamira is determined to make a difference in the lives of others.” -- Dennie B. Burke