Every March, by presidential proclamation, the United States pauses to honor the often-overlooked contributions of women to the American story. What began in 1978 as a localized “Women’s History Week” in Santa Rosa, California, has grown into a month-long national celebration.
This year, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 East Martin Luther King Blvd., is bringing that national legacy home to the Scenic City. On Saturday, March 28, the Center will host a special afternoon dedicated to the women who lead, serve, and inspire the Chattanooga community.
The afternoon’s centerpiece is a tribute to a woman who redefined what was possible in local law enforcement. Retired Chattanooga Police Lieutenant Diana O’Neal Williams, who passed away on December 1, 2025, will be recognized with a special exhibit opening at 3 p.m.
Williams was a true trailblazer, cementing her place in history as the first Black female to achieve the rank of Lieutenant within the Chattanooga Police Department.
A 1969 graduate of Central High School and a daughter of Washington Hills, Williams rose through the ranks to manage the Neighborhood Policing Bureau and serve as a member of the department’s elite Special Response Team (SWAT).
Known by colleagues as a compassionate yet fair leader, Lt. Williams was a dedicated mentor who famously rejected the pressure of legacy with a signature piece of advice: “There’s no such thing as ‘big shoes to fill.’”
Her exhibit will serve as a tribute to a life spent in service to public safety and equity.
Following a reception at 3:30 p.m., the program will shift to a powerful panel discussion titled “Women of Impact: Celebrating Leadership, Service, and Entrepreneurship in Our Community.”
The panel features three of Chattanooga’s most influential voices:
Jonnetta Patton, Patricia Shackelford-Gray and Dr. Edna Varner. They will share personal insights on navigating leadership roles and the importance of creating a lasting community impact.
The conversation aims to bridge the gap between the historical milestones of the past and the entrepreneurial spirit driving Chattanooga’s future.
The event is free and open to the public, offering a space for reflection, celebration, and networking among those shaping the city today.
As Women’s History Month continues to highlight the “foundational data” of the American experience–much like the movement successfully lobbied for by the National Women’s History Alliance in 1980–Chattanooga’s celebration ensures that the names of local pioneers like Lt. Williams remain a permanent part of that record.
For further information, visit www.bessiesmithcc.org, or call (423) 266-8658.