Hammond’s Director of Economic Development, Africa Tarver, was recently recognized at a ceremony for Influential Women of Northwest Indiana as a winner in the categories of Up-and-Coming Woman in Economic Development, as well as overall Up-and-Coming Woman of the Year.
The special ceremony at Avalon Manor brought together hundreds of women from various industries that are making lasting differences in moving The Region in a positive direction.
Tarver said she was proud to be nominated as one of these women.
“I am extremely honored and even more so humbled by the entire experience,” Tarver told IIMM. “The opportunity to be in a room with that many women who support each other is an awesome feeling.”
Tarver added that the unity shown among the women, many of whom have worked with each other at different points in their career, left a lasting impression on the strength and positive difference women are making in Northwest Indiana.
“Everyone is happy for each other because everyone on the ballot is so well deserved,” added Tarver. “Just to get on the ballot you have to be recognized by someone for your achievements, so it really is a deserving honor just to be nominated and considered by the Committee.”
And while the awards were a deserving recognition for Tarver’s previous accomplishments, Africa says the experience served as a great motivator to continue working hard for the City of Hammond and women everywhere in Northwest Indiana.
“The awards are wonderful and I am still excited, but it shows how much work there is still to do as well,” added Tarver. “This is a motivation of an ongoing mindset to keep working and pass these changes onto someone else in the future; hand them the torch to keep working for Northwest Indiana.”
“These awards are really about everyone coming together, working towards the betterment of Northwest Indiana.”