MWTC Special Presentation A Toast to Nell Baugh
by Karen Lewis
Cornerstone Systems
October 30, 2002

 

Good evening. I would like to ask two favors. First, I need to ask Miss Nell Baugh to join me at the podium. And while Nell is joining me up front, I would like to ask everyone in the room to fill your glass with the beverage of your choice. We are about to make a toast.

In December of 2001, a very distinguished award was presented to this very special lady. I would like to repeat that presentation once again so that all of you here can also be a part of her tribute, her legacy and her moment of recognition.

 

 

Nell started her international career in 1946 when she worked for the E.H. Sanders Cotton Company located on Front Street. She then moved to American Airlines in 1965 and later to Sealand in 1972 thus tackling both the air and ocean industries. During her employment with Sealand, in 1973 to be exact, she joined the Memphis World Trade Club and has since maintained (we believe) the longest running active membership in the history of the club.

There are many words to describe Nell…
Dedicated – caring – feisty – persistent – wild and crazy – hard working – a real pistol – a true friend – a 2/time cancer survivor – an international treasure.

She has represented this club for almost 30 years at functions ranging from monthly board meetings, to a family day at a Redbirds baseball game, to international dinners honoring visiting dignitaries from other countries. She is versatile, she is talented, she is this club’s representative.

We are her family and thus she feels…her responsibility. She keeps us warm and safe and on a path that is productive, positive and true. She guides us yet allows us to grow in our mistakes. And she is always there…training each incoming president, their officers and board of directors, and cares for us year after year.

 

This is not the first award the club has bestowed upon Nell to ensure her legacy. In 1999, we established the Nell W. Baugh International Scholarship Fund in her honor.

 

She is our past, our present, and our future.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen…I would ask that you please stand and raise your glasses as I propose a toast to Miss Nell Baugh…

 

 

On behalf of the MWTC, its president, officers, board of directors, distinguished membership and honored guests…I have the great privilege of announcing the club’s very first “Lifetime Achievement” Award to a very special lady….my friend Nell Baugh. Congratulations to Nell….Salute…