2019 Mississippi Delta Area Women of Distinction Luncheon Program

Tuesday

April 16, 2019 11:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 101 Bolivar Ave. Cleveland, MS

In Memory Of

Lucy Richardson Janoush July 20, 1957 – September 17, 2017

Lucy Janoush was a community leader who led by example and accomplished a lot during her life. Lucy was a Girl Scout and attended Girl Scout Camp Cedar Point in her early years, which provided her a good foundation for her life of service and leadership. She was very community minded and gave of her time and resources. She was heavily involved in and held positions of leadership for numerous community and charitable organizations.

Lucy received many awards for her efforts.

Her crowning achievement is that the Grammy Museum Mississippi was awarded to and built in Cleveland, MS under her leadership. Lucy Janoush was truly a “Woman of Distinction.”

2

2019 Women of Distinction Honorees

Myrna Colley-Lee..................................................................................................... page 3 Norma Cooper........................................................................................................... page 3 J a n e Du n l ap............................................................................................................... page 4 Jutta Ferretti.............................................................................................................. page 4 B re n e t t H ay n e s........................................................................................................ page 5 Carolyn McAdams.......................................................................... page 5 Lisa Bourdeaux Percy.. ................................................................... page 6 Myrtis Tabb.................................................................................... page 6 Gwendolyn Thomas.. ...................................................................... page 7 Wilma Wilbanks.. ............................................................................ page 8 Ruthie Burtin Woods...................................................................... page 8

1

Luncheon Program

WELCOME........................................................................................................... Candi Stone F L AG C E R E M O N Y ................................................................. Bolivar County Girl Scouts INVOCATION.............................................................................................................................

INTRODUC TION............................................................................................... Candi Stone MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.....................................................................Chesney Mardis Miss Delta State University

KEYNOTE........................................................................................................... Carol Puckett GIRL SCOUT HIGHLIGHTS......................................................................Melanie Schild CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of the South

2019 NOMINEES.............................................................................................. Candi Stone G I V E AWAYS & C LO S I N G .................................................Jenny Jones & Candi Stone

2

Honorees

myrna colley-lee Born in North Carolina and a world traveler at a young age, Myrna ColleyLee calls the Mississippi Delta home. Coming here for the first time in the 80’s, the pull of the land and the people have her residing in Charleston, MS. An advocate for the arts, she is a long-standing commissioner for the Mississippi Arts Commission and serves on several arts-related governing boards. In 2006, she founded SonEdna, an organization that celebrates and promotes the literary arts and writers of all genres and backgrounds in the Delta and beyond. She is also a founding member and benefactor of CARE, Charleston Arts & Revitalization Effort, a groundbreaking organization in the community that brings art, dance and music to people who may not encounter it otherwise. Myrna has donated vast sums of clothing from her costume studio to MS State University for use by theatres across the state. She accumulated these clothes from decades as a costume designer for the theatre. Starting in NY in the late 60’s, her most recent work outside of Chicago just finished its run of August Wilson’s, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” to critical acclaim. Myrna has designed costumes for over 60 productions, two films, at nearly 50 different theatres and venues. While most productions were here in the United States, some were in Europe and the Caribbean. And once even viewed by the Pope.

norma cooper Norma Cooper attended Delta State University, where she was a charter member of Delta Delta Delta, Phi Phi Chapter and a member of DSU Marching Band. She earned a bachelor’s in home economics in 1965.

After she married James Donald Cooper in 1965, she came back to DSU and earned a bachelor’s in elementary education, and later in pursuit of excellence in her field, earned a master’s degree in elementary education.

She taught school for 31 years.

Norma is a wife, mother and educator, which required much courage, confidence and character as she was a Boy Scout den mother, a member of DSU Faculty Wives, supporter of her children’s activities, and a teacher in elementary school.

When Norma retired from the teaching field, she became active in community service by joining EPHIC Woman’s Club before joining the Cleveland Woman’s Club in 2006. She actively participated in all service projects, leading to her nomination and election as president in 2014.

Norma served as City Chairman for the 118th GFWC-Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs Annual State Convention held on DSU’s campus in 2016. Norma has attended Woman’s Club district and state conventions and summer institutes over the past 6 years, which has enhanced her leadership skills. She was most recently involved in leading preparation for the Cleveland Woman’s Club 100-Year Anniversary.

3

Honorees

jane dunlap A native of Carrollton, MS, Jane Dunlap is a graduate of Delta State University and the University of MS. Jane taught school in Shaw, MS and very early in her career she was a Girl Scout Leader.

Jane and her late husband, Ellis Dunlap, operated a hardware store in downtown Cleveland, and in 1965 she helped to establish Indianola Academy, where she was the first head master.

In 1962, Jane helped to establish the Cleveland Beautification Commission and has been a member or officer since its inception. Within the commission, she is a member of the Tree Board and annually plants a tree on Arbor Day. In 1972 she founded the Delta Rose Society, and for over 35 years, she has worked to grow a variety of roses and other flowers in numerous flower beds in downtown Cleveland.

Jane has been honored as Queen of the Charity Ball by the Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, she received the S. E. Kossman, Sr. Award from the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce for outstanding service to the community over multiple years and making significant contributions to the chamber and community.

In 2018 Jane received the first ever Lucy Janoush Award given by the city to an individual for outstanding leadership and contributions to the improvement of life in the community.

jutta ferretti Jutta Karnstedt Ferretti moved with her family from Germany to St. Louis when she was a small child. In 1942, as America had entered the war, she was forced to discontinue her college education. Meeting her husband, John, they married prior to his being sent to the South Pacific in 1943. After the war, they moved to Shelby, MS, where they worked alongside each other in the family hardware business until 1987.

Jutta was active throughout her life, working with the various civic and church groups on community projects. After her husband’s death, she decided to continue her education at Delta State University. She became the oldest graduate when she received a degree at the age of 86. Students of all ages, who had the opportunity to have a class with her, became friends.

Receiving her degree was one of her greatest joys. She generously donated funds to begin a fellowship for an outstanding student in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at DSU in honor of her late husband.

The only one of its kind in Mississippi, this degree targets non-traditional students and is designed to develop interdisciplinary expertise in gender and diversity, globalization, literature, the Mississippi Delta, philosophy, and religious studies.

Jutta remains an active member of the Rotary Club of Cleveland and is a positive role model for all young girls and women. She is an example of one who never gave up on her dream of obtaining a college degree, as well as, having a productive career prior to receiving her degree. She is well respected throughout the Delta and is always positive about her life and love of her family and friends.

4

Honorees

brenett haynes As Chancery Clerk of Bolivar County, Brenett Northington Haynes, serves the community with professionalism and integrity. After working in the Chancery Clerks office for more than 30 years, she was elected the first African American Chancery Clerk of Bolivar County. Brenett also serves on the City of Cleveland Planning Board and as president of the Mississippi Chancery Clerks Association.

Brenett demonstrates her leadership and teamwork qualities by providing county-wide support of the United Way and Relay for Life. As a member of First Baptist Church in Merigold, MS, Brenett and her husband of 39 years sponsor summer activities for area youth and provide support and fundraising to other programs offered by area churches. She supports county-wide school programs, local supportive services organizations, and church-sponsored programs.

Brenett is the wife of Randy Haynes, the mother of Xavier and Sonya, and the grandmother of Riley and Reese.

She was educated in the Cleveland School District and furthered her education by attending Mississippi Valley State University and Delta State University.

Brenett encourages young people, especially young girls, that they can accomplish whatever they want in life by setting goals, persevering in hard work and staying focused. Her philosophy is dream, focus, and build, thereby establishing that DREAMS are possible if we believe. She lives her life, both personally and professionally, in ways that reflect her philosophy.

carolyn mcadams City of Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams went all the way through Girl Scouts to earn the highest award given to girls, known at the time as the Curved Bar. Before becoming Mayor of Greenwood, Carolyn worked for CCA (Correctional Centers of America) as a bookkeeper. Her meticulous attention to details and regulations, and her willingness to learn through numerous workshops and continuing education classes were rewarded by her promotion to business manager. She worked at several different CCA facilities to train staff and improve the bookkeeping systems and operations. She encouraged and assisted the wardens at CCA to be involved in Greenwood by partnering with schools. With Carolyn’s help and creativity, CCA had a program that brought in a local artist who helped teach welding, a program to train puppies as service dogs, and, always, a beautiful float in the local Christmas Band Festival parade. Carolyn was awarded the Chamber of Commerce’s “Community Pride Award,” partly in recognition of her hands-on reconstruction and refurbishing of the old Christmas decorations that now hang every Christmas season in downtown Greenwood.

Mayor McAdams is a 1966 graduate of Greenwood High School and attended Mississippi Delta Junior College and Mississippi State College for Women, currently Mississippi University for Women, in Columbus.

She is a member of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood and has two daughters and seven grandchildren.

5

Honorees

lisa bourdeaux percy Lisa Percy earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vanderbilt University and a juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi. Her professional career includes staff positions with gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, as well as, positions during the Carter administration and the offices of Governors William Winter and Ray Mabus. Lisa has also been associated with the law firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower and Hewes.

Lisa resides in Greenville with her husband, Billy, and is active in local and statewide organizations, serving on the boards of the Delta Health Alliance, Kings Daughters and Sons Circle Foundation, and the Foundation for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. She is a founder and board member of the Community Foundation of Washington County. Lisa has also served on the boards of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, Foundation for Public Broadcasting in Mississippi, Hodding Carter YMCA, Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters, the E. E. Bass Cultural Center Foundation/Greenville Arts Council, and New Stage Theatre. She is also a two-time vestry member of St. James Episcopal Church in Greenville.

Lisa views the arts as a way to bring people together. She considers the many opportunities provided by Greenville’s rich arts environment as a path for people to create a new language to communicate in ways that speak to the hearts of others. To that end, she has exhibited her photographs several times in the Greenville Arts Council galleries. She helped organize and host the world premier of the MPB-produced documentary, “Return to the River,” featuring Greenville native and historian, Shelby Foote, along with other notables.

myrtis tabb Myrtis Tabb retired in 2015 as Delta State University Associate Vice President for Finance Administration with over 35 years of experience in education and community fields. She completed four degrees at Delta State University: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Education in Elementary Education and Supervision, Educational Specialist Degree, and Ed. D. While working at the university, Myrtis provided leadership to the Bologna Performing Arts Center, leadership in human resources and institutional grants, and was a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Myrtis has been dedicated to her community through service on numerous boards, including the Bolivar County Medical Hospital Foundation Board, Mississippi Delta Heritage Board, Delta Council, Delta Arts Alliance, Girl Scouts of Northwest Mississippi, Advisory Board of Planters Bank & Trust Company, President of the Cleveland/Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi Delta Regional Boys and Girls Club, and Coordinator of the Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network. She is a member of the Mississippi Women’s Forum, a component of the International Women’s Forum and the Rotary Club of Cleveland.

Myrtis was selected as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi and one of the Journal’s 50 Business Women in the Delta.She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, MS, where she teaches a Sunday School class and has chaired various committees.

6

Honorees

gwendolyn thomas Gwendolyn J. Thomas, affectionately called Gwen, was born in Selma, AL. Upon completing parochial elementary school in Selma, she attended Catholic schools in New Orleans, LA and Lafayette, LA. Gwen first attended college at Xavier University in New Orleans for two years and later at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, from which she graduated with a bachelor’s in history. Having a desire to fulfill her father’s dream about her becoming a lawyer, Gwen went back to college and earned a Juris Doctorate Degree at Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1976. She also studied at the University of Nevada, in Reno, where she earned a Certificate of Completion of the General Jurisdiction Course in 2004.

Gwen began her legal career in Bolivar County in 1979 as a staff attorney in the Cleveland Branch Office of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services. She was quickly made managing attorney, a position she held for 6 years. Gwen later worked as a partner in the Thomas and Thomas Law Firm.

She became a solo practitioner when her husband, Judge Kenneth L. Thomas, took the bench as the County and Youth Court Judge of Bolivar County in 1991.

Gwen became a municipal judge for Rosedale, Cleveland, Pace, Gunnison, Shaw, and Beulah, Mississippi. She has also served as youth court referee and family master in child support cases. She was elected County and Youth Court Judge of Bolivar in 2002, 2006 and again in 2010. She retired on April 30, 2014.

Gwen serves as a senior status judge. She is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, the Bolivar County Bar Association, the Conference of Mississippi Trial and Appellate Judges, and the Mississippi Conference of Youth Court Judges and Youth Court Referees. She has previous membership in the American Bar Association, the Magnolia Bar Association and the National Bar Association. Moreover, Judge Thomas is active in the Rotary Club of Cleveland, a life member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., a life member of the NAACP, and a life member of the Bolivar County Recon League.

7

Honorees

wilma wilbanks Wilma Johnson Wilbanks is well known throughout the Delta for her support of the arts, her dedication to Junior Auxiliary, and her love for Delta Gamma fraternity. Wilma was born and raised in Leland, MS. She received a bachelor’s in pharmacy from the University of Mississippi in 1981. Wilma returned to the Delta where she has practiced pharmacy and has dedicated her life to service, not only regionally, but nationally.

Wilma has been involved in and has held leadership positions in numerous organizations and at The Calvary Episcopal Church in Cleveland, MS. She has received many awards and accolades for her years of service.

She served as president of Friends of the Bolivar County Library, president of Crosstie Arts Council, president of Delta Arts Alliance, and on the Bologna Performing Arts Center Board of Directors. She currently serves on the Mississippi Blues Foundation Board of Trustees and the Cleveland Music Foundation Board of Directors for Grammy Museum Mississippi.

Wilma has served the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries since 1984 as National Treasurer, National Vice-President, and National President. She served on the NAJA Foundation Board of Trustees as Chairman of the Board and currently as National Parliamentarian since 1992.

Wilma has served Delta Gamma at the national level on the Board of Trustees as parliamentarian, treasurer, and chairman of the board. Currently serving as the International President, Wilma still finds time to serve her community and the Delta area.

ruthie burtin woods Ruthie Burtin Woods is a god-fearing woman who believes that with God all things are possible. She was blessed with eleven beautiful children.

Ruthie has lived her life and raised her family by being outspoken, compassionate, giving and hardworking. Ruthie and her husband were sharecroppers who strongly believed in their children receiving an education. Ruthie was recognized by the Delta State University Alumni Association and received the highest honor that a non-alumnus can achieve in 2018 when she became an Honorary Life Member for her support of the university through the years and for her family’s legacy of attending and graduating from Delta State University. She is the matriarch of the family’s pottery business. Her sons started Peter’s Pottery in 1998, which is truly a family business. The brothers give credit to their parents for rearing them in a local church and teaching them the value of family in helping them establish their business. At 95 years of age, Ruthie begins her daily routine by reading her Bible, praying and exercising. She is still an avid gardener and loves to work in her yard. She takes great pride in her yard and receives many compliments for her work. She is a great homemaker and still prepares dinner daily for her family. Ruthie attends Jerusalem Church, where she serves faithfully on the Mother’s Board. Her family says they are truly blessed to have a woman of virtue in their lives.

8

Master of Ceremonies

candi stone Candi Stone co-anchors The Delta News Morning. She grew up in Water Valley, a small town just south of Oxford known as the Watermelon Capital of the World.

Although news wasn’t the first path Candi took, it was always a passion. Before finishing the Dental Hygiene program at Mississippi Delta, she had the opportunity to work at WTVA in Tupelo. That experience took her interest in local news from fascination to reality.

Candi says she feels honored to sit at the desk each morning and tell the things that matter to people. Growing up, the local news each morning was a big part of the day in her childhood home. She says being at the station each morning feels like home.

Keynote Speaker

carol puckett Carol Puckett is a consultant working in the hospitality industry and with non-profits on strategic planning. Formerly, president of the Viking Hospitality Group for Viking Range Corporation in Greenwood, MS, she was the founder of the Everyday Gourmet, a cooking school and gourmet retail store operating in Jackson, MS and it’s companion store, the Everyday Gardener.

She currently serves as chair of the USA International Ballet Competition and on the boards of Tougaloo College, the Mississippi Arts Commission, B.B. King Museum, Grammy Museum Mississippi, the Mississippi Women’s Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi. She is past president of the Junior League of Jackson and past chair of the Mississippi Women’s Forum.

Carol was educated in the Jackson Public Schools and at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, where she received a B.A. in English and History. She participated in Girl Scouting as a Girl Scout Brownie, Cadette and Senior, and spent many happy summer days at Camp Wahi in Brandon, MS, operated by the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi.

9

Event Sponsors

senior level sponsors Baxter Healthcare The Paul Janoush Family

cadette level sponsors Amerisource Bergen PharMEDium Cleveland State Bank Delta Regional Foundation

junior level sponsors Bolivar Medical Center Entergy Exchange Club of Cleveland Needle Specialty Products Corporation Carol Puckett Quality Steel

brownie level sponsors Peggy Davis Becky and Billy Nowell Nan Sanders Myrtis Tabb Anne Wynn Weissinger

10

Event Sponsors

daisy level sponsors Cleveland Woman’s Club Cleveland Event Center The Clint and Ellen Ann Johnson Foundation Coopwood Communications Friends of Bolivar County Library Anne and Keith Fulcher Guaranty Bank and Trust Company Kappa Delta Sorority - Gamma Psi Chapter Lisa Percy Renasant Bank Ann Shackelford Lynn Shurden Rose Strahan Willis Engineering, Inc. Catherine Wolfe

Special thanks to our dedicated 2019 Women of Distinction Committee Members: Karla Bristlin, Cheryl Comans, Keith Fulcher, Joyce Kennedy, Becky Nowell, Lynn Shurden, Rose Strahan, Myrtis Tabb, Jeanette Tarsi and Gwen Thomas Without you, this extraordinary event would not be possible.

Thank you for investing your time and talents to help recognize and honor Women of Distinction in the Delta Region and to promoting the mission of Girl Scouts.

11

Luncheon Sponsors Many thanks to the following businesses for providing such a delicious lunch and beautiful arrangements and gifts.

As you patronize these establishments, please thank them for their generous contributions to our community.

lunch provided by Crave Christina’s Exquisite Edibles Mississippi Grounds Senator Willie Simmons & The Senator’s Place The Starving Musician The Warehouse

gifts provided by Happy Petals Flowers & Gifts Neysa’s Fireside Shop Peter’s Pottery The Delta Christian

floral arrangements by Cleveland Fresh Happy Petals Flowers & Gifts Flowers ‘N Things Simply Sunflower

12

13

DELTA REGIONAL FOUNDATION dba

JACKPOT BINGO BEST WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FRIEND AND LONG TIME SUPPORTER,

NORMA COOPER Come play with us; JACKPOT BINGO 7852 Craft Rd., Olive Branch, MS 662-420-7931; objackpotbingo@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook: Jackpot Bingo Olive Branch

15

COMPLETING THE CIRCUIT. At Entergy, the circuit means more than electricity.

It means connection and potential. Families.

Neighborhoods. Businesses. We’re all part of a circuit. So we invest in industry. Inspire education. Nurture community. We empower each other. And together, we power life.

A message from Entergy Mississippi, Inc. ©2016 Entergy Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

11758 Entergy WePowerLife Brand 3.75x4.5.indd 1

5/11/16 1:34 PM

Let’s speak out and shake things up!

For ideas on how you and your organization can get involved, visit our website at

www.standbesideher.org

This world needs more G.I.R.L. leaders, and no organization prepares girls to lead better than Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts prepares girls to lead by practicing the skills that many of today’s leaders lack - the four key G.I.R.L. leadership skills - grit and goal setting, innovation and real-world problem solving, risk taking, and leading others with empathy. We believe deliberate practice is the key to reaching one’s full leadership potential, and we do this by preparing girls to lead—deliberately and consciously—through everyday experiences and activities. Girls can only reach their full potential when they practice leadership the Girl Scout way over a lifetime, not just during a specific life stage.

Girl Scouts is for every girl, at every age, every day.

Help Girl Scouts Heart of the South build more G.I.R.L. leaders who are ready and prepared to create a better future for themselves and for their communities.

Visit us online to Give for G.I.R.L.s today!

http://bit.ly/gshs_GiveforGirls

The Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

www.girlscoutshs.org

I

800.624.4185