A Step Ahead East Tennessee honors local philanthropist with EmpowHER Award

KNOXVILLE - A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee hosted their inaugural Founder’s Dinner, celebrating their first full year of services and the men and women from across the community that have made an impact.

A Step Ahead East Tennessee has a vision of a community where all people can achieve their life goals. By removing barriers to the most effective forms of reversible birth control available, A Step Ahead helped over 168 women in East Tennessee take one step closer to maximizing their potential and achieving their dreams, in the past year.

"Unintended pregnancy is at the base of many societal ills," explained Robyn Askew, recipient of the EmpowHER Award. She emphasized, "If we can help a woman better plan when she has a baby, we can help her better plan her life and achieve her goals."

Askew, one of the first people introduced to A Step Ahead Foundation, actively worked to raise awareness of the organization and bring A Step Ahead to Knoxville. Recognizing her dedication to equality for all people and for fighting against injustice, she was nominated to be the first recipient of the EmpowHER Award from A Step Ahead East Tennessee. The EmpowHER Award was presented to Robyn Askew by Mary Ellen Brewington on June 21, 2018, at the Founder's Dinner hosted by A Step Ahead East Tennessee.

The non-profit announced it will triple its goal by serving 300 women in the next 12 months. Former Juvenile Court Judge and founder and CEO of A Step Ahead Foundation, Claudia Haltom, was also in attendance. In her speech, Haltom said Memphis has seen a 38.8% decrease in teen pregnancies in Shelby County. Haltom added, "The Knoxville affiliate of A Step Ahead Foundation has been the fastest growing, most quickly expanding program in the state."

About A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee:
A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee focuses on removing barriers to the most effective forms of voluntary, reversible contraception (Long-acting, Reversible Contraception, LARC) by covering costs associated with LARC placement, reproductive health education, and transportation.

Published August 12, 2018