Southwest Board Member Pays Homage to her Parents by Establishing Endowed Scholarship

Southwest Foundation board member Mary Tate-Smith

Mary Tate-Smith does not like to waste time.

As Vice President of Sales for the West Regional Office of CIGNA Healthcare, Tate-Smith knows that every minute counts when providing excellent customer service for her clients. But she carves out moments to build relationships in the Mid-South and serve as a leader and role model through service.

A relative newcomer to Memphis, Tate-Smith has championed the cause for education by joining the board of trustees of Southwest Tennessee Community College. She also served on the 2009 planning committee for the Henry "Hank" Aaron Golf Classic, benefitting Lemoyne-Owen College and the United Negro College Fund.

While many organizations benefit from her time, Tate-Smith decided to use her resources to assist as many students as possible. She was instrumental in CIGNA Healthcare's $10,000 donation to Southwest's major gift campaign. To show her personal dedication to Southwest students, she established the Mr. and Mrs. Joe A. Tate Endowed Scholarship in honor of her parents. Tate-Smith's parents were not formally educated, but believed in the value of education. Hard working people, they strove to make sure their values were passed on, and with Tate-Smith they succeeded.

"My parents taught me all of my values. They taught me the importance of giving back to the community and working hard. I can't think of anyone I would rather name a scholarship in honor of than my parents. They are my inspiration every day."

Her extensive background in the health care industry has taken her around the country, and she previously resided in California and New Jersey before calling Memphis home. A native of Detroit, Tate-Smith is passionate about the Memphis area and wants to do her part to give back to the community. Currently she is a member of the 2010 Leadership Memphis Executive Class.