Lisa Lewis Dubois is among the newest inductees of the Women’s History Hall of Fame. The honor, which is presented during Women’s History Month, recognizes women in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region who have made significant contributions civically, socially and politically.
Dubois has served as first lady of UNC Charlotte since 2005. In that capacity, she has been responsible for all community relations events held at Bissell House, the chancellor’s residence.
While at the University, Dubois founded the UNC Charlotte’s first parent and family support organization, and she takes a leading role in planning and hosting the annual Family Day brunch for family members and students. Additionally, she is active in efforts to support veterans, particularly as they pursue higher education after completing their military service.
At the national level, Dubois has served as chair of the spouses and partners organizations within the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. Both organizations help the spouses/partners of university chancellors/presidents to participate effectively in campus life and to enhance their institutions’ relationship with their communities’ business, government and nonprofit leaders.
As for community service, Dubois co-founded the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women’s Summit (now the University’s Women + Girls Research Alliance). She also served as a member and chair of the Board of Directors of Communities In Schools, completed two three-year terms on the Board of Directors of the Arts & Science Council and continues to serve on the board in her capacity as chair of the Charlotte Public Art Commission.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Dubois also completed a law degree from the institution. She was a criminal appellate lawyer with the California Attorney General’s Office, legal counsel to the speaker of the California State Assembly and served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wyoming.
The Women’s History Hall of Fame is an initiative of the Charlotte Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, in partnership with the Levine Museum of the New South.
Judge Ty Hands also was a 2019 inductee. Hands was appointed to the District Court bench in 2009 by Gov. Beverly Purdue and was re-elected twice. She was Mecklenburg County’s lead domestic violence judge and presides over juvenile, domestic violence, criminal and civil courts. She is active with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Charlotte chapter of Jack and Jill and Race Matters for Juvenile Justice. A graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Hands completed a law degree from UNC Chapel Hill.
Photos: Women’s History Hall of Fame Inductees Lisa Lewis Dubois and Ty Hands. Dubois with club president Jessie Cokley.