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Nellie Dunaway Duke

President & CEO

Nellie Dunaway Duke, President & CEONellie Dunaway Duke was appointed to Georgia Commission on Women by Lieutenant Governor Pierre Howard when the Commission was created in 1992, subsequently twice re-appointed by Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor. After serving for two years, during which she chaired the Public Hearing Committee providing direction for the Commission on Women, in 1994 she was elected Chair, a position she still holds.

A native of Rome, Georgia, Duke has lived in Carrollton with her husband of fifty-nine years, William Henry Duke, since 1964. They have five grown children, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Nellie lettered in basketball and as a football cheerleader at Rome Girls High School where she graduated at age sixteen in 1947, continuing basketball with a semi-pro team until she married in 1949. She studied at Carroll Lynn School of Business and Chicago University. She involved herself in church, schools and community wherever the family lived, including Rome, Summerville and Carrollton. She volunteered with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and church youth groups. She coached girls basketball for the recreation department, was an advocate for schools, serving as PTA president at Summerville Elementary.

Her work experience included sales, marketing and interior decorating at JC Penney and Sears in Rome. She was Methodist Youth Counselor at First Methodist Church in Summerville, and worked as Education and Youth Director at First Methodist in Carrollton, before assuming a similar position with the Carrollton Recreation Department where she directed teen activities. From 1970 until 1982, she worked as field representative for American Cancer Society, honing her skills in education and political advocacy. In the 70's, she was area coordinator for ERA Georgia, continuing to lobby locally, statewide and nationally for health, education and women's rights during the 80's, up to 1992 when she became a charter member of the Commission on Women, where she continues to serve. She has also served four years as Southeastern United States Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Task Force. In 1999 she was appointed to the President's Commission on Women in American History. Since 2002 she has been on the Advisory Board of the US-China Cultural & Educational Foundation, and since 2006 has served on the Advisory Board for the Women's Leadership Exchange.

Serving on the board of twelve organizations, she founded the West Georgia Women's Forum, Stopping Violence Where We Live, Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park and the Carroll Association for Prevention of Sexual Assault. She is on the Advisory Board of Possible Woman Foundation, Atlanta Women's Network and Women's Information Network. She served four years on the Community Advisory Board of Southwire Company. She was instrumental in founding the Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative, Georgia Woman of the Year Committee, Inc. and the Childhood Health & Over Weight Initiative. Her most recent achievement is as the Founding Chair of Georgia Women's Institute where she serves as President and CEO. She serves the Leadership Council of Stennis Center for Public Service, and the Southern Women in Public Service Leadership Conference.

Honors and awards she has received include the Mamie K Taylor Georgia Business & Professional Women's Club's Award; Georgia AAUW Leadership Award; Georgia Legislature's 25 Women for the 21st Century Award; the GCW Magnolia Leadership Award; Georgia House & Senate Resolutions in 2004; Darton College's "Living A Life of Worth" Award; Turner Broadcasting Company's Super 17 Award; NOW's Living Woman of History among others. The First Annual Nellie Duke Scholarship, established by the Georgia Woman of the Year Committee, Inc, was awarded to Valerie Garlet of Dalton College, at the 2006 Woman of the Year event. She chairs the Committee on Publications for the Commission, and counts as one of her greatest accomplishments the publication of Women & the Law; A Guide to Women's Legal Rights in Georgia. Inducted into YWCA's Academy of Women Achievers in 1999, she continues a life of innovation and service to women and families in Georgia and the southeast. Her most recent honors include:

  • Working Mother Magazine & Fannie Mae Diversity Award
  • 2006 Possible Woman Ally Award
  • 2007 Procter & Gamble Leadership Award
  • 2007 Women in Sports "Leadership in Government" Award
  • 2007 Georgia Women's Institute Award for Leadership & Public Service
  • 2008 Honored by Turknett Leadership Group for Leadership of Georgia Osteoporosis Initiaitve
  • 2008 DHR's Partnership for Better Health Award, Healthy Aging Summit