Cynthia Pitts
Born at Memorial Hospital and raised in Clarksville, Cynthia Pitts has seen this community from many perspectives. After graduating from Clarksville High School she went on to receive her B.A. at Covenant Bible College in New Jersey. Cynthia returned to Clarksville and in 2001 married Joe Pitts. From the beginning Cynthia supported his political career and in 2006 he was elected to the TN State Legislature. In January 2019 she became First Lady of the city she loves after her husband Joe Pitts was elected Mayor in November 2018. Joe and Cynthia Pitts certainly personify the word ‘team’. However, Cynthia never stopped chasing her own dreams. She is a minister, an author and an active First Lady, focused on empowering women in the community. At one of her first events following her husband taking office she was asked to sing karaoke during the Korean New Year celebration. “I was a nervous wreck,” Pitts said. “I saw the faces of the women in the audience and it struck me. Meeting with these different groups of women in Clarksville, hearing their voices and listening to their concerns shouldn’t be an occasional thing. It needed to be a regular, ongoing effort.”
Cynthia launched a series of Women of Clarksville - Health and Wellness events. “I literally saw women coming together with a voice,” she said. “One young woman who came to support the women of Clarksville, was tested at the Matthew Walker Clinic mobile unit that day and was made aware of a life-threatening health issue. Our next Expo is August 28th and we have more than seventy vendors lined up. This is now a city and county coordinated effort that is making a difference.” “People ask Joe and me why we do what we do. It’s because we have a heart to serve this community and to be a voice for those who feel voiceless. My goal is to empower women. The women of this community are amazing when you learn about their talents, gifts and stories. Meeting each of them empowers me,” Cynthia said. When asked what she is passionate about, Cynthia says, “I am passionate about seeing the women in Clarksville connect and build relationships with each other. During our 2018 Mayoral campaign, we launched the Women of Clarksville initiative as a way to break down artificial barriers among the various neighborhoods, cultures and backgrounds in our community. Our mission is to bring women together to network, build relationships and meet other women outside their social and career circles.” 26 • JULY 2021 | VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
