35 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com It’s hard to imagine that less than a century ago the phrase, “A woman’s place is in the home,” was the standard in American society. But today’s women can choose to also pursue a career. Many of them take on leadership positions such as CEOs, entrepreneurs, board presidents and other top roles. In the Tri-County area, we are fortunate to have some of the best and brightest women around to lead our community to even greater heights. In honor of Women’s History Month, here is a list of several women that fit the bill. HELEN HILL Helen Hill, the CEO of Explore Charleston (aka the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau), an alliance of 849 businesses and 10 municipal governments, oversees the promotion of tourism while working to keep our area a great place to live, work and do business. The hospitality and tourism industry now employs over 40,000 people in the Charleston area, and much of the role it plays in the local economy has been impacted by Hill’s efforts. Her contributions to the community have not gone unnoticed, as she has been the recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, for her commitment to tourism and economic development. She’s also received the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award for a lifetime devoted to making the community a better place. Hill was the first woman to receive the Brinkman Award for Outstanding Tourism Leadership, and she was recognized as a Travel Vanguard by Afar Magazine. But never one to rest on her laurels, Hill looks to the future to ensure that the tourism industry adapts to meet current challenges and remains sustainable. One example of that was her effort to spur several airlines to add service at Charleston International Airport. Five years ago, she became the first woman to head the Charleston County Aviation Authority. ALLISON HUNT As visitors to our area can attest, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is usually on their list of favorite tourist stops. Allison Hunt, the executive director of the Patriots Point Development Authority Board which manages the enterprise, is the first woman to serve at the helm of the state agency. Before being selected for the job two years ago, she had already made history by becoming the first woman to head the USS Yorktown Foundation, the nonprofit charged with providing support and fundraising for exhibits, scholarships and programs. Now she oversees the operations of all of Patriots Point which includes not only the museums but also the management of 465 acres of land that’s home to a golf course, athletic fields, restaurants, a resort hotel and a marina. So, there is a business side of her job since the Development Authority is landlord to those entities. The varied facets of Patriots Point contribute over $200 million annually to the Charleston area’s economy and support 1,700 jobs. Now a new project, Patriots Annex, a mixed-use development, is planned and will include office and retail space as well as vacation and residential units. When completed, Ladies Who Lead Women’s History Month heroines BY MARY COY our town
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