MEMPHIS, TN — Tina Knowles, 70, was in town as the guest speaker at a sold-out benefit luncheon for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. The theme of the fundraiser was "Women Build," which "is not just a great title, it's a statement of action," according to Adrienne Goolsby, U.S. and Canada senior vice president for Habitat for Humanity International. The theme was a reminder that Habitat uses mostly volunteer labor to build homes — quality, affordable houses that are purchased by qualifying first-time homebuyers via Memphis Habitat mortgages that have zero added interest.

"The work here is so important," said Knowles, who said she has helped build Habitat homes in her hometown of Houston. "It sounds like a cliche, it sounds corny, but your life is so much better" when you do what you can for people who need a boost, she said.

After her talk, which was formatted as an onstage conversation between her and WREG-TV personality Kontji Anthony, Knowles posed for pictures with some of the 300 attendees (including longtime city official and activist Gale Jones Carson, identified by Anthony as Knowles' "twin"). She said she planned to visit the National Civil Rights Museum in the afternoon, and to eat some barbecue ("I like dry rub," she said).

Read the full article on the Commercial Appeal’s website.

Stay tuned for updates on our next Women Build Luncheon! Details on the event, special guests, and location are coming soon.