Women’s Council Celebration Luncheon

Mildred Hayman Johnson is a dynamic leader, educator, and advocate committed to uplifting others. With degrees from the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and Desting Christian University of Florida, she has combined academic excellence with a deep passion for service.

After a successful career in financial services, where she held multiple leadership roles and business licenses, Mildred shifted her focus to community impact. Mildred is the heart and soul of Empowering Services, a nonprofit she leads with unwavering commitment. This organization supports incarcerated individuals as they prepare to reenter society. Every Sunday, Empowering Services ministers to the women in Washtenaw County Jail through the Her Turn program, helping them find strength and a path forward. She ensures those in need are not forgotten, she helps restore dignity and hope.

She embraces her "happily busy" life, pouring energy, compassion, and lasting dedication into the Ann Arbor community she has proudly called home for 30 years.

Eileen Thacker is a busy lady, and that’s a blessing to everyone around her. Helping others and staying involved in the community has always been good for her soul.

With a Master’s in Education from Indiana University and a Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University, Eileen has dedicated her career to supporting others as a social worker, educator, and prevention specialist in healthcare, universities, and community organizations.

An active leader in Washtenaw County, she has poured her energy into Hadassah, ORT, University Musical Society, Girls Group, WCC Women’s Council, Ele’s Place, and Jewish Family Services. A natural “connector,” she loves bringing people and organizations together to build lasting partnerships.

Eileen and her husband, Ted, have called Ann Arbor home for 30 years. Her boundless enthusiasm, kindness, and dedication continue to make a meaningful impact on the community she loves.

Dr. Debby Mitchell Covington is a passionate leader, mentor, and advocate dedicated to empowering individuals and communities. As the Strategic Partnerships and Equity Initiatives Director at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, she builds meaningful connections with minority-serving institutions and leads initiatives to foster inclusion and belonging.

With a heart for service, she founded VestedIn U, LLC, a coaching and consulting firm, and All Things Artistic Ministries, Inc. (ATAMI), a faith-based arts education organization that uplifts youth through creative expression. She also serves as Board Chair for the African American Cultural and Historical Museum, guiding its expansion and preservation efforts.

In 2024, she was appointed to the Washtenaw County Historic District Commission, deepening her commitment to honoring Black history. Dr. Covington holds degrees from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Ashland Theological Seminary, bringing warmth, wisdom, and vision to all she does.