Influential Women 2018 by Journal Inc

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Two Terrific Women. One Very Big Honor! Mud & Magnolias Influential Women 2018

Cathy Robertson

“My passion is to help people create beautiful and meaningful spaces in their home.”

BancorpSouth Chief Risk Officer, serving our organization for more than 40 years with a passion for the betterment of our community. Congratulations and thank you, Cathy!

Becky Rollins BancorpSouth’s biggest fan and a tireless community advocate. You’re always a winner with us, Becky. Congratulations!

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for being selected as an Influential Women finalist! Thank you for your impact in New Albany, Mississippi. Denise @ Two Doors Down, Keri @ Runway Boutique, Angele @ Tallahatchie Gourmet, Ashley @ Itty Bitty Birdie, Kelley @ The Bead Shack, Emily & Tabatha @ MODA, Magen @ Buff City Soap, Darlene @ Southern Traditions , Natalie @ Merle Norman, Jane @ Something Special, InfluentialBoutique, Kristin Women 2018 2 Leann l @ Obsessions @ Southern Blue , Billye Jean & Tracy @ New Albany Main Street

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Top: Influential Women nominees stand to be recognized at the event. Bottom left: Mud & Magnolias Editor Ellie Turner presents 2018 Influential Woman of the Year Meredith Martin with her award. Bottom right: Future Influential Women scholarship winners Eve Gershon, Gillian Meyers and Jamison McComb Photos by Lauren Wood

Mud & Magnolias Influential Women 2018

Table of Contents:

Magazine Editor & Event Coordinator: Ellie Turner Magazine & Event Sales Consultant: Amanda Gholson Magazine & Event Team: Lauren Wood & Emma Kent

Event • pg. 4 EMCEE & Speaker • pg. 5 The Finalists • pg. 6 2018 Influential Woman of the Year • pg. 14 Future Influential Woman Scholarship Recipient Eve Gershon • pg. 18

Future Influential Woman Scholarship Recipient Gillian Meyers • pg. 22 Event Snapshots • pg. 24 Future Influential Woman Scholarship Recipient Jamison McComb • pg. 26 Nominee List • pg. 28 mudandmag.com

What: An event honoring women of influence in North Mississippi When: July 17, 2018 Where: ICC Belden Center EMCEE: Aundrea Self of WCBI Speaker: Lynn Spruill, the first female mayor of the city of Starkville (in photo on left)

The Event

ud & Magnolias’ Influential Women 2018 luncheon event was hosted on Tuesday, July 17 to recognize, empower and support women in North Mississippi. After enjoying a meal together, the program began by recognizing all who were nominated by the public as influential women. From those nominations, 20 finalists were previously selected by an independent panel and recognized for their influence in the communities they serve. The overall 2018 Influential Woman of the Year was

Influential Women 2018

Meredith Martin (pg. 18). Aundrea Self of WCBI was the master of ceremonies and Mayor Lynn Spruill was the keynote speaker. In addition to recognizing influential ladies, Mud & Magnolias and Barnes Crossing Auto Group presented three “Future Influential Women” scholarships. One was to Oxford resident Eve Gershon (pg. 22), another to Gillian Meyers (pg. xx), also of Oxford, and one to Amory resident Jamison McComb (pg. 26). M Photos by Lauren Wood

Event EMCEE Aundrea Self grew up in Starkville and graduated

from Starkville High School. She earned degrees in English and mass communications from Stillman College. It was at Stillman that Aundrea fell in love with news reporting when she did her first story on the school’s renowned student choir. Aundrea began her broadcasting career at WACR radio in Columbus and continued working in radio for seven years. After joining the WCBI-TV family as a news producer, she eventually began reporting. That ultimately led to her seven-year run as co-anchor of “WCBI News Sunrise” and “Midday.” Aundrea currently anchors WCBI News at 5 and 6 and hosts the daily talkshow, “MidMorning with Aundrea” where she explores topics ranging from lifestyle to health to politics. She has won several Associated Press awards for her work. In 2004, she was honored as a “Top 40 Under 40” by the Mississippi Business Journal. Outside of work, Aundrea spends time speaking at area churches, schools and civic organizations. She is a member of the Community Advisory Board for Baptist Golden Triangle and serves on the board of the Richard E. Holmes II Memorial Foundation. She is an active member of the Starkville chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and enjoys reading, spending time with family and sampling her husband’s tasty dishes. Aundrea and her husband, David, have three children: Kimberly, Alan and Emilee and a precious pooch, Chip.

Event Speaker Mayor Lynn Spruill is a native of Starkville and

is a graduate of Starkville High School and Mississippi State University. In 2017, she became the first female mayor in Starkville’s history. Lynn is a former United States Naval Officer and pilot, mayor of Addison, Texas, pilot for Delta Air Lines and Starkville city administrator. She is currently a businesswoman and real estate agent in Starkville, Mississippi. Lynn co-owns and managed Spruill Property Management where she was overseeing the day-to-day operation for over 350 apartments around Starkville. As a United States Naval Officer and pilot, she became the first woman in the history of the Navy to qualify as a carrier pilot in 1979. She also served as a councilwoman and then mayor of Addison from 1985 to 1993, where she was named Woman of the Year in 1993. She decided not to run for re-election and opted for furthering her education by attending law school, receiving her JD/MPA joint degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. In 2004, Lynn moved back to Starkville and took over Spruill Property Management from her late father and later became Chief Administrative Officer for both Mayor Dan Camp and Mayor Parker Wiseman. Lynn is and has been involved in the local community with roles in several organizations such as board member of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, the Starkville Community Theater Board and the Volunteer Starkville Board. Photo via The Starkville Daily News mudandmag.com

The Finalists Women from across North Mississippi were nominated by the public for their influence. After submitting a detailed application to confirm their nomination, an independent selection panel reviewed each girl boss to determine 19 finalists and the 2018 Influential Woman of the Year. Photos by Lauren Wood Download photos at mudandmag.com/influentialwomen2018

Sharon Enzor

is the chief academic officer at Blue Mountain College, serves as academic dean of the faculty, is a member of the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cabinet and advises the president on academic affairs. She has also participated in a number of international, regional, state and local events with Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in the 44 years she has been a member. Additionally, Sharon is a volunteer peer evaluator with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. She led the completion of the 2015 Compliance Certification for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for which the college had no recommendations.

Influential Women 2018

Tia Wright is a business consultant and president and

founder of Work 2 Life, a non-profit that helps homeless and employmentchallenged persons reconnect to a job. Tia is certified professionally in a number of areas, including Myers Briggs, life and health insurance and leadership. She is also a member of the First United Methodist Church Missions committee and served as chairwoman for 2017. Tia volunteers with different organizations and fundraisers, like the Rice and Beans fundraiser, Helping Hands food pantry, Community Embrace, the 719 Project, mission trips and Habitat for Humanity.

Marsha Tapscott

is the director of marketing and communications at North Mississippi Medical Center. Under her leadership, the NMHS Marketing Department received national awards for their “Connected Feels Like” campaign. Her involvement in community and professional organizations includes MHA Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations, American Hospital Association Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, Girl Scouts Heart of the South, CDF REACH Campaign, NEWMS, Public Relations Association of NEMS (PRAM), Good Samaritan Free Clinic, Salvation Army, United Way, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Tupelo Public School District Community Advisory Council and the NEMS Kappa Delta Alumnae Association. Marsha was also named the Mississippi Hospital Association Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations Senior Professional of the Year.

Cathy Robertson is Executive Vice President

and Chief Risk Officer at BancorpSouth. She has been employed with BancorpSouth for 42 years and was the first female management trainee at BancorpSouth. Cathy was awarded the J.G. Berry United Way Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, was named the Rotarian of the Year and a Woman of Distinction by the Business and Professional Women’s Club. Cathy has also served on numerous boards among local organizations including HealthWorks!, Good Samaritan Health Services, United Way, North MS Symphony Orchestra and Financial Women International. Cathy is also in the Northeast Mississippi Community College Hall of Fame. mudandmag.com

Windy Faulkner is the assistant superintendent and

curriculum director for the Union County School District. She is a Millsapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Principal Institute Graduate, a Mississippi School Board Perspective Academy Graduate, a 40 under 40 nominee, a member of Mississippi Professional Educators, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, Excel by 5, Kiwanis Club, Pilot Club, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Union County Leadership Academy. Windy also helped obtain Excel by 5 status for Union County and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education.

Jenny Jones

is the Chief Community Engagement Officer for Girl Scouts Heart of the South. She is a member of the American Camp Association, Public Relations Association, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Committee and Rotary Club (current president). Jenny was director at Camp Tik-A-Witha for nine years and she is the first director who was also a camper there. As Rotary president, Jenny has led the club in aiding the Tupelo Public School District and the Lee County School District, Regional Rehab, Sanctuary Hospice Hospice House, Boys and Girls Club, 10 for Tupelo, Girl Scouts and Lee County Library through grants and fundraisers. She also created an annual fundraising event for Girl Scouts Heart of the South.

Leigh Ann Mattox is Recreation Director for Tupelo

Parks and Recreation. Leigh Ann coaches challenged softball, basketball, soccer and Special Olympics swimming, and hosts dances for special needs individuals. She was also selected as 2018 Team Mississippi USA Games swim coach. Leigh Ann delivers Meals on Wheels monthly, volunteers to teach the Little Ripples swim program and helps put on many annual city events, including the All-America City family picnic in the park, Cherry Blossom Festival and the Lighting of the Park at Christmas. She also mentors high school seniors working on special needs senior projects.

Influential Women 2018

Albine Bennett

is Director of Communications at the CREATE Foundation. She has been recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal Top 50 Under 40 and the Daily Journalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 40 Under 40. Albine is a member of the Jim Ingram Leadership Institute, and she volunteers with NEWMS, Sanctuary Hospice, Junior Auxiliary, READ First Coalition, AEE, United Blood Services and the Pontotoc Elementary PTO. Albine also coaches a Saltillo Parks & Rec girls basketball team and coordinates the CREATE Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo. Albine created the Lip Sync Battle Fundraiser event, which raised over $7,000 for NEWMS, and she is currently in the process of creating a volunteer hub in NEMS to connect volunteers with non-profits in the area.

Kaila Timbs

is a loan officer and assistant branch manager at First American National Bank in Iuka. Kaila is currently vice president of Junior Auxiliary of Tishomingo County and treasurer of the Belmont Events and Promotional Association. She has participated in and helped organize community events including the Sweetheart Pageant, Breakfast with Santa, Coats for Kids, Angel Tree, Movies in the Park, Fourth of July fireworks, Bear Creek Festival and Car Show and the Christmas Parade. She is also the first person in her family to graduate from college with a four-year degree.

Becky Rollins is a retired educator who now spends her

time doing volunteer work. She taught for 27 years and was named both teacher of the year and administrator of the year during her career in education. Becky is the creator of the A Novel Affair event, an annual fundraiser for the Lee County Library, as well as a board member and president of Friends of the Lee County Library. She also serves as a board member for the CREATE Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi, AEE and Read First. mudandmag.com

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Jennie Bradford Curlee is the Director of

Public Relations & International Sales for the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. Jennie is a member of several organizations including the MS Tourism Association, Society of American Travel Writers, Junior Auxiliary, Joyner Elementary PTA, Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, Tupelo Tennis Association, Tupelo Community Theater Lyric Krewe and the Tupelo Running Club. She was 2017 chairwoman of the JA Charity Ball, which raised almost $180,000 for the group’s nine child welfare projects in Tupelo. She also helped implement public relations campaigns in Tupelo, including #Hi5Friday and #MyTupelo. Jennie has been named 2018 Volunteer of the Year by the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo, one of the MS Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40 and Woman of the Year by the Tupelo Women’s Club.

Amanda Hayden

is the owner of Cafe 212, a Tupelo Main Street restaurant that she runs with her husband. She is a founding member of Tupelo Rocks, president of Quality of Life, a member of the Main Street Association and involved with the HRC. Amanda helps organize local events and beautification projects to help make Tupelo an awesome place to live, like the Off the Wall mural project and Rocktober Fest. She also helped create and put on the former Mustache Bash event, which benefited the Autism Center of North MS. In 2017, Amanda was named the Daily Journal’s Person of the Year at its Top 40 Under 40 event.

Amanda Angle is a Certified Public Accountant with

Watkins Uiberall. She has been a CPA for 20 years. Amanda is a member of several community organizations, including BNI Tupelo (president), Rotary Club (treasurer), Exchange Club, Tupelo Women’s Club, Regional Rehab, Family Resource Center, Boy Scouts Yocona Council, 100 Women Who Care, Tupelo Country Club tennis, Tupelo Pickleball League and the Tupelo Mah Jongg League. She belongs to several professional organizations as well and is a current board member of the MS Society of CPAs. Amanda also participates and volunteers in community events including Dance Like the Stars, NEWMS Lip Sync Battle, 10 for Tupelo and Regional Rehab events. mudandmag.com

Melanie Deas

has been executive director at the Link Centre for 11 years. In that role, she plans and implements programs and services that support the arts, education, cultural awareness, diversity, social services, health and welfare within the Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi region. Melanie is a member of and volunteers with numerous organizations including the Tupelo Police Athletic League, Mississippi Humanities Council, Equality Mississippi, the ACLU of Mississippi, Boys and Girls Clubs Dance Like the Stars and Cook Like the Stars events, First Presbyterian Tupelo Chancel Choir and the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. She also directed the presentation that helped Tupelo bring home its record fifth All-America City Award from the National Civic League in 2015.

Roxie Clayton is the owner of VOW Fitness, an adjunct faculty member at Ole Miss and a dance teacher at North MS Dance Center. She is also the Artistic Director and creator of Doniphan Dance Project, which promotes the awareness of modern dance to local youth through community projects, workshops and dance performances. Roxie opened her own business, VOW, and teaches barre and cardio fitness classes. Her choreography was commissioned at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Meredith Tollison

is the owner of three local businesses: Keep It Casual (16 years), LD Hancock Family (3.5 years) and Quintessential Dog Training (1 year). She is a certified dog trainer and dog bite safety instructor. Meredith volunteers with Junior Auxiliary, the Link Centre, Tupelo Ballet and the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society. She managed the Clothes Closet service project with JA, which provides clothing and hygiene products to hundreds of school children annually. She is also the past president of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra League. 12

Influential Women 2018

Dody Vail

is executive director of the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence of NEMS. Dody has been in her current position for 23 years, helping over 4,000 addicted individuals a year get assessed and referred to treatment. She opened the first long-term sober living program in the state, Extra Mile Sober Living Center for Men in Mantachie, and served as its director and head counselor for 10 years. In 2015, she was named MS Association of Addiction Professionalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; addiction prevention professional of the year. Dody has written 20 grants, 19 of which were awarded full funding totaling more than $3.1 million for addiction recovery. She is also an internationally certified alcohol and drug counselor, clinical supervisor and clinical interpreter.

Asia Rainey

is a writer, artist and educator. She is the founder and director of WordPlay, which offers literary arts education and advocacy to the community, and brought the program from New Orleans to Tupelo. Asia teaches workshops and hosts events like open mic nights and literary arts festivals. She also created the Open DOORS project, implementing a dialogue about race and racism in the community. She volunteers with the Day One Project supporting incarcerated women and the Tupelo Police Athletic League. Asia is a Mississippi Arts Commission Fellow and current volunteer artist-in-residence at the Link Centre.

Merissa Rambo

is director of the Summers.a.l.t. Reading Program. She developed the Summers.a.l.t. Reading program at The Orchard Church before turning it into a nonprofit organization. The program helps 160 K through 3rd-grade students each summer who struggle with reading. Merissa also founded and organizes The Cottage School, an educational group for homeschool students to attend two days a week. She is a staff member with The Orchard Church and a member of Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo. Merissa received the Community Partner Award from the Tupelo Public School District. mudandmag.com

Influential Women 2018

2018 Influential Woman of the Year

f you’ve ever been to any community event in Tupelo, you’ve probably seen Meredith Martin. That’s just one of the reasons Martin was named the Mud & Magnolias 2018 Influential Woman of the Year. “I’m just very humbled and honored to have been nominated, much less to have won, with all of the wonderful ladies who were nominated,” Martin said at the July 17 event. Martin is a member of nearly too many community organizations to count ranging from Tupelo Community Theatre to Junior Auxiliary to Tupelo Rocks. Although she spends a good bit of her time volunteering, Martin’s day job is in real estate. She has been a real estate agent with Tommy Morgan Realtors since 2015. In 2016, she was named Tommy Morgan’s Most Improved Realtor. Martin was named a Tommy Morgan Top Seller each year from 2015-2018 as well as a Top Producer in the same time period. She has been named a Tommy Morgan Top Lister every year since 2015, and in 2016 and mudandmag.com

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for being a 2018 Influential Women finalist!

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Influential Women 2018

where you are planted.”

Meredith Martin 2018 Influential Woman of the Year 2017 she was given the Tommy Morgan Multi-Million Dollar Producer Award. In 2016, Martin was voted Best Realtor in the Daily Journal Readers’ Choice Awards. Through her job as a real estate agent, Martin is a member of the Northeast Mississippi Board of Realtors and the Tommy Morgan Cause Committee. As successful as she has been in her professional life, what really sets Martin apart as this year’s Influential Woman of the Year is her community involvement. Martin is active in revitalization efforts in the Mill Village neighborhood as a member of the Historic Preservation Society. She was appointed by Mayor Jason Shelton to the City of Tupelo’s Quality of Life Committee in 2016. A member of the Community Development Foundation, Martin is currently participating in the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute. She has been a member of the Rotary Club of Tupelo since 2016 and serves as the Chairman of the Satellite Rotary Cub. In 2014, she took part in the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau Leadership Program. Martin is also a member of the Northeast Mississippi Girl Scout Community Action Cabinet and a board member for Addiction Recovery Resources. She was an active member of Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo from 2008 until 2013 and served on the group’s executive committee from 2011-2013. Since 2014, Martin has been a Junior

Auxiliary associate life member. Of all of the many organizations Martin has worked with, she said JA holds a special place in her heart. “I really loved working with JA of Tupelo because they’re kind of behind-the-scenes and do a lot that people don’t realize,” Martin said. Through groups like Downtown Main Street Association and Tupelo Rocks, Martin has helped bring numerous major Tupelo events to fruition. She was a founding member of the committee that started the Down on Main Concert Series as well as volunteer coordinator for the event from 2009-2016. Martin helped put on one of Tupelo’s largest events, the Tupelo Elvis Festival, in both 2011 and 2017. From 2011-2016, she served on the committee that organized the Mustache Bash Autism Fundraiser, and in 2014 she helped organize the Band Together Benefit Concert for tornado relief following the 2014 Tupelo tornado. She is also a co-founder of the Birthplace Sessions, an initiative that brings musicians to the Elvis Presley Birthplace to perform on the legendary performer’s

front porch. Martin is an avid supporter of the arts, especially Tupelo Community Theatre, where she has been a board member since 2014. During her time on the TCT board, she served as both Executive Committee Secretary and Executive Committee Vice President. Martin volunteers with TCT’s Off-Broadway arm too as an executive board member and liaison to the TCT board. She has supported the local arts community through her work with the Link Centre as a board member and her contributions to the annual Tupelo Gumtree Arts Festival as entertainment chairman. She currently serves as a committee member for the festival. “You have to bloom where you are planted,” Martin said. M Story by Emma Kent Photos by Lauren Wood

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Influential Women 2018

Future Influential Woman Scholarship Recipient: Eve Gershon

lthough she’s still in high school, Eve Gershon is passionate about both making films and making a change. Gershon is on a mission to take female leadership to the male-dominated movie-making business. “Whether through writing, directing or heading up a sound or lighting department, I want to create inspiring work,” she said. “I want to show girls throughout the world that the time of a male-led movie industry is a time of the past.” In the meantime, she’s already working on being an influential woman in her community through her work at school and volunteerism. She said she’s been inspired by a few influential women in her life along the way. “My mom and my sister have made a huge impact on my life in the best way possible,” Gershon said. “I am so fortunate to be surrounded by women that have such inspiring strength who are always there to provide me with the courage to take risks I might not have otherwise been willing to take.” Gershon is a rising senior at Oxford High School, where she maintains a 4.38 GPA. She’s also involved with Oxford High’s theater program, the Oxford High School Theatre Arts Guild, and plays piano. Gershon is involved in a wide range of activities at school from Beta Club and Anchor Club to French Club to working at the OHS student newspaper The Charger. Gershon serves as the paper’s business manager and features editor. She is a three-time winner of The Charger Award at Oxford High, which students are nominated for by teachers who recognize their hard work and good character. Gershon was also a finalist for a Mississippi

Story by Emma Kent Photo by Lauren Wood

Scholastic Press Association award for depth reporting and has received awards for AP English and AP Music Theory. When she’s not in school, Gershon also volunteers at the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library and works as a writing center tutor. At the library, she has worked as a summer reading volunteer for the past three summers. She also volunteers during the school year, coming in a few times a month to help organize the library shelves and assist with monthly programs like DIY Teen Crafts and Saturday StoryPlays. Gershon plays a role in annual events too, helping coordinate the library’s Family Tea Party and Easter Egg Hunt. “Always remember that being involved in your community doesn’t always have to be some big, grand gesture,” Gershon said. “Sometimes the little things can make just as big of a difference.” Gershon knows its important to speak up for what you believe in, which is why she’s already made a habit of writing her state representatives in Congress about issues she feels strongly about. When asked what it means to be an influential woman, Gershon had this to say: “To me, being an influential woman means doing good work that helps mold the world we live in and inspires change in the minds of others. An influential woman leads by doing and motivates those around her to do the same. She is passionate and she is strong. She is a trailblazer. She makes a path for herself and leaves it open for others to follow in her footsteps. She knows that she is being watched, so she does work worth watching.” M

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What does being an influential woman mean to you? Every nominee application included this question. These are some of our favorite answers.

“

The most invaluable gift we can give another human is to make them feel understood, because ultimately that’s what we are all craving from relationships, and making that effort for others, through communication and giving back what I can, is what being influential means to me.” Brittany Martinez-Clark Family Nurse Practitioner

“

“Honestly, Dolly Parton said it best, ‘If you don’t like the road you’re walking on, start paving another one.’ Being an influential woman to me is a lot like that quote. The women who have inspired me the most are those that took the road less traveled or those who built their own when all odds were against them. Being an influential woman is more than owning a business or people just knowing who you are - to me - it’s what you stand for and what people look up to you for - someone who can make a positive difference in the world even when going against the grain.” Chelsea Chapman Owner of StaxFitness, personal trainer

Being an influential woman means showing the world that we are every bit as qualified, driven and talented as our counterparts. I want younger women to look at me and learn to not be intimidated by situations they may run across in their lives, but instead, greet every experience with grace and confidence and see them as learning opportunities. I want women who are older than me to look at me and see that no matter our age, socioeconomic background, or job status, our voices matter and deserve to be heard. We have so much to give, but we have to have the confidence to give openly of ourselves. Sarah Busby Business Account Manager, Verizon Wireless Director of Volunteers, The Sycamore Church 20

Influential Women 2018

“A truly influential woman is someone who lives her life full of grace regardless of the circumstance. There are many successful career women, but very few that are humble in their God given abilities, joyful in their circumstances and gracious in their interactions with other.” Mysie Wurster Owner, Designer of June Arbor Designs

“Being an influential woman, to

me, means using myself as an example to others that often we let our thoughts limit what we think we can accomplish, but when we let our selves dream and work toward those dreams one step at a time, we can accomplish anything! Tiwana O’Rear Chief Operations Officer, Sanctuary Hospice

“

By leading by example and by mentoring my staff to learn how to be successful adults in the work force, I feel like I am being an influential woman in my own way. And I feel like I break stereotypes every day by owning and running my businesses as a female.” Katelyn Reed, MSW, PhD. Doctorate of Social Work, Owner of Strange Brew Coffeehouse & Churn and Spoon Creamery

“

Grace comes to mind.” Emily Sanders Owner, Wedding planner, Emily Taylor Weddings

“I believe we all have influence; influence in our families, friends, children, employees, organizations, schools, and community. Our influence can be positive or negative, but we all have influence. Being an influential woman means that I am using the influence I have to serve and encourage whoever I encounter. It means that I speak up when I need to and am flexible to do whatever I need to do to better serve a friend, child, or my community.” Erin Ledbetter Children’s Minister, Northstar Church mudandmag.com

Influential Women 2018

Future Influential Woman Scholarship Recipient: Gillian Meyers

lready influential through her work at Oxford High School and through the arts, Gillian Meyers plans to pursue a career in international relations, extending her influence around the globe. Meyers is a rising senior at Oxford High School and has a 4.0 GPA as well as a perfect ACT score. She is also a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. Throughout her high school career, Meyers has remained on the honor roll and has received several academic awards including STAR Student, the French I Award, the French III Award and the AP U.S. History Award. In addition to her academics, Meyers is the speech captain of the Oxford High Speech and Debate Team, captain of the Oxford High Envirothon Team and building captain of the Oxford High Science Olympiad Team. She also founded the Oxford High School Art Club. The OHS Envirothon team is made up of five team members who each specialize in a certain area regarding nature, such as forestry, wildlife, or aquatics. “I love Envirothon because I think it requires more practical knowledge than any other science team, since a large part of the Envirothon exam is identification,” Meyers said. “My area is Forestry, which means I can go into a forest and name the trees and other plants growing there.” Her love of art drives her work outside of school. Meyers works at the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council where she helps young artists grow. She has also started her own commission-based business, Gillian Meyers Art. “I mostly paint or draw portraits of family members and pets, but I’ve also painted a few guitars, which has definitely been a learning experience,” Meyers said. Meyers recently won Best in Show at the Scholastic

Story by Emma Kent Photo by Lauren Wood

Mid-South Regional Art Competition. She also won a drawing award and was nominated for the American Visions Award in 2017. Meyers hopes to one day be a leader in politics and foreign policy so that she can help solve problems that affect the quality of life of all of the world’s citizens. After she graduates from high school she plans to get a degree in international studies. “My experiences have helped me see that the only way for me to be fulfilled in life is to help others,” Meyers said. She is particularly interested in working to craft policies that will address human rights abuses in North Korea and global warming’s impacts on poverty-stricken parts of Africa, among other global issues. To Meyers, being an influential woman means being able to inspire others by bettering yourself. “When a truly influential woman is able to identify that her own success inspires others to succeed, she will become even more driven and focused in order to help even more people,” Meyers said. For her, inspiration comes from the women in her circle of family and friends. “My mom has always shown me the importance of playing to your strengths, which has really helped me. She’s always actively supported my interests, by reading books to me when I was smaller and by giving me a steady supply of markers and colored pencils,” Meyers said. “One of my close friends, Emma Teng, is also really interested in art and in debate, and she’s a great sounding board for new artwork and new ideas.” Meyers said she was encouraged by this year’s Influential Women event, where she was awarded a scholarship that will help her further her education and achieve her goals. “It was really inspiring and I didn’t expect to get it (the scholarship),” Meyers said. M

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I nfluential W omen L uncheon

Kristen Bouchillon, Colby Chapin, Lisa Phelps, Denean White, Kaila Timbs, Andrea McMichael, Tamara Pharr

Carrie Bridges, Jenny Jones, Sally Bennett, Myra Collins

Melissa Bagley, Kala Meyer, Becky Rollins

Richard Gershon, Donna Levine Gershon, Eve Gershon

Pam Bowen, Leon Enzor, Dr. Sharon Enzor, Dr. Barbara

Kaylee Dodson, Britney Yarbrough

Influential Women 2018

tupelo.net

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Photos by Lauren Wood Download photos at mudandmag.com/influentialwomen2018

Mary White, Meredith Martin, Brent Martin, Danielle Delgrande

Shirley Hendrix, Katie Stuart, Dana Peters, Kristy Luse

Amanda Floyd, Cinda Berryhill, Brittany Clark, Trent Clark, Melinda Gosa, Tammy Dyar, John Enlow

David Gable, Elizabeth Gable, Dixie Priest, Rachel Etheridge, Tia Wright

Amanda Angle, Kayla Turner, Lane Poland, April Grissom, Mendy Ramey, Lori Robertson, Stephanie Hall, Kelli Christian

Susan Honeycutt, Jamison McComb, Deana McComb, Sallie McComb

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Influential Women 2018

Future Influential Woman Scholarship Recipient: Jamison McComb

o Jamison McComb, being an influential woman means living with integrity and sharing success with others through charity. McComb is a rising senior at Amory High School, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. McComb has been involved with Amory High School’s Student Council since the ninth grade. She has served as Freshman and Sophomore Class President and Junior Student Body Vice President. Her involvement at school extends well beyond Student Council. McComb serves as secretary of the Crown Club and is also a member of Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Amory Students for Change and the Spanish Club. Besides academics, McComb also spends her time on athletic activities. She plays both soccer and softball for Amory High School. Through all of these activities McComb has gained leadership skills she believes will serve her throughout her adult life. Just during her high school career she has been chosen to represent Amory at the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference, attended the Trent Lott Leadership Conference and attended the Mississippi Leaders in Training Conference through the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Outside of school, Jamison volunteers with Gilmore Memorial Hospital, Kindred Hospice and the Amory Food Pantry. At Kindred Hospice, McComb strives to be a light for patients by visiting with them and bringing them treats. She visits patients in both Amory and Aberdeen once a month. McComb said she loves talking with them and giving them something to look forward to. After she graduates high school, McComb plans to

Story by Emma Kent Photo by Lauren Wood

study biological sciences at Mississippi State University, then attend medical school and eventually become an oncologist. “Receiving this scholarship was definitely an honor and it will help me so much in my future,” McComb said. McComb knows getting into and completing medical school won’t be a walk in the park, but she’s up for the challenge. She plans to draw on lessons learned in high school about perseverance to help her succeed. “I learned the hard way in softball that things don’t always come easy,” McComb said. “A pitiful batting average as a sophomore inspired me to work hard to improve myself and better help my team, and my junior year proved that hard work combined with the proper motivation can lead to success.” A close family friend of McComb’s passed away after battling cancer, which inspired her to pursue oncology as a future career. That personal connection makes McComb passionate about curing cancer, which she referenced in her Future Influential Woman scholarship application as “the emperor of all maladies.” “The funny thing about emperors is that they all eventually fall, and many have met their demise due to a woman,” McComb wrote. “I suspect that one day cancer will be no different, and I plan to be there when it falls.” McComb said she was inspired as she saw all of the nominees and finalists at the 2018 Influential Women event honored. “I really just loved being here and seeing all of these women and all that they have accomplished,” she said at the event. M

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The Nominees The following ladies were nominated because their influence resonated with at least one person, but likely many others. We believe they deserve a pat on the back. You go, girls!

Albine Bennett Alexe van Beuren Amanda Angle Amanda Hayden Becky Rollins Belle Naugher Blakley Young Brittany Barnes Brittany Clark Cathy Robertson Chelsea Chapman Dody Vail Elizabeth Gable Emily Sanders Erin Ledbetter Heather Palmer Jennie Bradford Curlee Jenny Jones 28

Influential Women 2018

Joanna Peugh Kaila Timbs Katelyn Reed Leigh Ann Mattox Marsha Tapscott Melanie Deas Melissa Ratliff Meredith Martin Meredith Tollison Merissa Rambo Mysie Wurster Nina Strother Roxie Clayton Sharon Enzor Sarah Busby Tia Wright Tiwana Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rear Windy Faulkner

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Influential Women 2018