The City of Jackson celebrated International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, by continuing its tradition of recognizing influential women in the Hub City.
A total of 31 women were a part of this year’s class of those recognized by Mayor Scott Conger and his leadership team at City Hall.
Also on hand for the ceremony was a member of last year’s class of Influential Women, Pastor Rhonda Reed Pettigrew of Destiny Church.
Pettigrew spoke for about 10 minutes about the importance of women in all aspects of culture all over the world and how powerful women are.
“International Women’s Day is a time to shine the light on the incredible accomplishments of women that shape every sphere of culture,” Pettigrew said. “From scientific breakthroughs to artistic masterpieces, from political leadership to entrepreneurial ventures, from non-profit executives to CEOs, from the classroom to the board room, from the court room to the pulpit to the house.
“Women are making a profound impact on the world.”
The 31 women were then named and those present had their photo taken with a certificate with Conger before being served a luncheon and given a gift bag with items from different businesses in Jackson.
The honorees were Sarah Barnett, Doris Black, Candice Busby, Lindsay Dawkins, Karen Edwards, Latonya Fason, Alyson Fite, Eliza Forbes, Jen Free, Jennifer Greer, Melba Homra, Andrea Hudgins, Celia Jordan, Bethany Lawrence, Lori Lott, Meredith Maroney, Stacy McIntyre, Teresa McSweeney, Kelsea Merriweather, Gail Mooney, Anita Parker, Lisa Peoples, Beth Ann Simpson, Tiffany Spight, Melissa Spurgeon, Wanda Stanfill, Julanne Stone, Jill Taylor, Anita Tucker, Vivian Williams, and Norma Baker Wood.
This was the fourth year for the City to honor women for International Women’s Day with a naming of the annual class of influential women.
Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news
