In conjunction with Women’s History Month, the Faculty Women’s Club hosted a luncheon featuring guest speaker Tracey Sharp, editor of the Weakley County Press.

Sharp spoke on the topic of “Women in Media”. She attributed her success to the women who have been role models in her life. She then took the opportunity to mention a few personally.

“Without the strength of the women who opened the doors for us, I would not be where I am today,” said Sharp.

Sharp explained that women’s roles in media have evolved so much over the past 15 years. Sharp added, “In 1991, women got sales positions, never would you have seen a woman editor.” Sharp is now the third woman editor for the Weakley County Press. She also said that in the early 1990s, women in the media were treated horribly. However, this is what makes women strong today.

“When you see women treated so horribly, you see persecution. But when you see them continue to do their job, you see them overcoming that persecution,” said Sharp.

Sharp is a Dresden native who, upon graduating from high school, attended acting school in Canada. She also experienced working at a recording studio with various country artists. She then worked for a domestic violence group in Nashville, Tenn. Upon returning to Weakley County, she started a chapter of the same domestic violence awareness group. Under her leadership, the program has raised $180,000 annually. Eventually, she accepted the position of editor of the Weakley County Press.

Sharp said that she loves her job and she loves this area. “I am so glad to live in Northwest Tennessee. I am delighted that we have a university here that allows us to see outside the lines,” said Sharp.

She added, “Weakley County Press is very supportive of UTM. We love UTM.”

She joked that her dream job would be writing for Weekly World News. “I have no problem writing stories about Bigfoot,” she added with a chuckle.