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promoted the epitome of the advancement and preservation of white Southern womanhood. Everybody at Greenwood Springs assumed she would join in with the fear, anger, and prejudice. Concerned? Yes. Afraid? No. Fear was not in Lois Fuqua Varnell’s vocabulary. Even the governor of Mississippi had told her that she was ahead of her time. The first integrated 4-H Club meeting took place in the fall of 1968 at the Monroe County Courthouse. I think we all gathered for a lecture and exhibits on horticulture, a favorite subject of Mrs. Varnell, who eventually served many terms as State Garden Club President. A goal for earning the 4-H club horticulture medal was to be able to identify, from endless slides and pictures, genres of trees, shrubs, landscape designs, and even the early stages of diseases that threatened local crops and flowers. For us 4-H’ers, knowing the difference between a sycamore leaf and a poplar leaf was the difference between winning 1st and 2nd place. Mrs. Varnell had even set up potted displays of shrubs, for us to determine if they had been trimmed properly. Mrs. Varnell stood at the podium welcoming what at first seemed to be an all-white crowd. “I am so pleased for this turnout and to know that this community loves 4-H Club as much as I do.” Mrs. Brewer and Mrs. Ross led the applause and all the parents joined in. Mrs Varnell smiled and continued, “I want everybody to know that this meeting is for all of Monroe County.” She emphasized “all.” More applause followed. Mrs. Varnell continued, “I believe everybody will leave here today with a little more knowledge of horticulture,” Mrs. Varnell began. “I want to thank Resa 34!