FREE local pick (Memphis, TN) on Thursdays and Fridays; 9:30am to 2:30pm

Autumn Chastain, Chief Executive Officer

Autumn brings with her twenty years of experience as a lawyer and leader of her own firm, with a background of significant experience in child welfare and family law, and a passion for protecting the rights of trafficking survivors.

Autumn plans to continue to strengthen the basic Thistle & Bee program.  In 2022, Thistle & Bee will expand both the clinical program resources and social enterprise. The latter will increase the number of beehives, expand the honey product line, and launch the corporate gift division. Autumn has laid out two goals to build upon Thistle & Bee’s success. First, will be to find or build a transitional property where graduates can rent an apartment while they work and build their credit. Her second goal will address the issue of the children and survivors. Thistle & Bee will work with a guardianship program to provide the option of safe housing for children during the two years so mothers can focus on the program.

Bethany Hanczor, LPC-MHSP, Clinical Program Director

Bethany has dedicated her professional career to empowering people through hope and healing, particularly at-risk populations, and specializing in trauma-focused treatment.  She is also skilled in advanced program development and in fostering community partnerships throughout the city of Memphis.  Bethany’s role at Thistle & Bee is to develop and oversee the daily operations of the residential program and to coordinate the care and services of the residents.  She is there for our women survivors as they undertake their healing journey, helping them become grounded in their newly birthed and powerful identity.

Bridgette House, Manager - Social Justice Enterprise

Bridgette is a graduate of Thistle and Bee, class of Spring 2022.  With multiple years of sobriety, Bridgette has a passion to walk with other women coming after her in their journeys to recovery.  Bridgette's skill-set and calling in catering has also aided her in becoming Thistle and Bee's Social Justice Enterprise Manager.

Bridgette is also a native Memphian who loves her family.  She has two sons, one of whom she lost to addiction three years ago.  

Board of Directors

Susan Lattimore

President

Lacey Mauk

Treasurer

Robert O'Connor

Past President

Brooks Terry

Past President

Rev. Eyleen Farmer, Founder, President Emeritus

Director

Madge Deacon

Director

Martha Boyd

Director

Sudha Ganguli, MD

Director

Teresa Exum

Director

Ashley Haynes

Director

Barbara King

Director

Maria Rindosova

Director