Belmont University recently announced the inaugural group of the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship recipients, a gift given to six students from the College of Health Sciences and Nursing. These six nursing students will participate in 32 hours of community service and will participate in high-impact leadership development in both curricular and co-curricular spaces through the University’s new Office of Leadership Development.

Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans was a generous philanthropist and accomplished businesswoman. She was the wife of Joseph B. Whitehead, one of the original bottlers of Coca-Cola. At his death, she assumed management of his business affairs, establishing the Whitehead Holding Company and the Whitehead Realty Company and leading the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Atlanta. She also became one of the first female directors of any major U.S. corporation when she was appointed to the board of The Coca-Cola Company in 1934, a position she held for nearly 20 years. To those who knew her well, Mrs. Whitehead’s greatest legacy was her genuine concern for others. Continue reading →