In 2017, women made history in East Tennessee from the playing field to the political arena and beyond.
This year, the University of Tennessee marked a milestone in its 222 year history.
Dr. Beverly Davenport was named the school's first female chancellor.
“I'm proud, enormously proud to sit in this seat. We are all caretakers for just awhile,” Davenport said.
Under her watch, UT smashed a world record by forming a giant “Power T”.
Davenport was instrumental in bringing back the Lady Vols name, firing then hiring an athletic director and football coach and opting out of outsourcing services. Ultimately, Davenport says her goal is to share what sets Tennessee apart.
“We have great assets here and the world is going to know even more than they already do about the University of Tennessee.”
Also this year, Renae McDermott became the first female Special Agent in charge of the Knoxville FBI division.
She came on board in 1989 and worked her way up to agent and team leader and eventually landed a post as special assistant to former FBI Director James Comey.
“I knew I wanted to be a public servant after I went through not being a dairy farmer, a veterinarian or a teacher. I ended up finding a good niche with the FBI,” said McDermott.
Four women launched their political careers in 2017. They now fill four of the nine seats on the Knoxville city council.
Gwen McKenzie, Stephanie Welch, Seema Singh Perez and Lauren Rider are all political newcomers.
Their elections follow a national trend of more women running for public office.
“Having four women is historic and it's a wonderful thing to do part of that,” Stephanie Welch said.
Gwen McKenzie echoed that.
“I realized that sitting in this seat, I really can do a lot to help people," McKenzie
And in the front office of the NFL's Cleveland Browns you'll find a woman with East Tennessee roots.
Knoxville native Dee Haslam and her husband Jimmy bought the team in 2012. In the NFL'S upper echelon she is a rarity. She's among a handful of owners who are women.
“Any organization is better if they have a diverse organization with different viewpoints from different people. That's something we embrace here and encourage and welcome,” Haslam said.