2010 marks the tenth anniversary for Baptist Health Systems Celebration of Strong Women. Over the last decade 45 women have been selected from hundreds of nominations from friends and family who have been touched by ordinary women who live extra-ordinary lives. Few strong women ever see themselves that way. There are five categories of winners, each personifying a trait that most of us recognize around us every day in a friend or a co-worker. Women seem to be, by nature, nurturers. Each category has its own specific nurture component.

Ginger, who has coordinated the program for Baptist with help from the Godwin Group and LoveCom notes that each year is different. Although the stories vary, the themes don’t. 

“In every category something happened in that woman’s life that made them want to reach out to others. The amazing thing is that the winners selected are living their mission in life and none of them are striving for recognition or ever see themselves as touching so many other women.”

Rachel Blackledge 2009 Recipient of Strong Woman Award for Perseverance   Perseverance {One who has overcome personal adversity.}

“For Rachel, May 22, 2005, began as a sunny day full of promise. A senior at Madison Central, she was looking forward to graduating with honors before studying graphic design at Samford University. That afternoon, everything changed in an instant. She and three friends were involved in a water-skiing accident. R Rachel’s right leg was severed at the knee and her friend Lanie was killed. Rachel spent three weeks in the hospital, followed by months of tough physical therapy, a series of awkward prosthetics, and grief for her friend. As she healed, she began to see all she’d been through not just as a tragedy, but an opportunity. ‘After awhile,’ she said, ‘you begin looking for the doors God is opening.”
- Marlo Kilpatrick

Of all the things you want to show up as your unique character, what is the single most significant?

I would have to say joy. And I don't mean for this to be synonymous with happiness. I have always thought that happiness is a fleeting emotion...but JOY is a unique characteristic in that regardless of what life is throwing at you; there is an underlying peace that lets you know it's all going to work out

What is your favorite scripture and why it is meaningful to you?

 I go through phases of favorite scriptures because I relate to different ones at different stages in my life. Right now, one of my favorites is John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Tell me how your adversity taught you a new meaning of perseverance?

Prior to losing my leg, I don't think I had ever really been forced to truly persevere in anything other than long lines at TJMAX. Through my particular adversity, however, I was forced to rely on God's strength within me to persevere physically, mentally, and emotionally, knowing that He had ultimately prepared me and gone before me in this. I would never mean that to sound cliché', but for anyone that has ever been to a place of complete desperation, you know that the strength to keep going isn't anything you can muster up by yourself!

How do you hope your work in physical therapy will serve as a mission field to others battling with physical setbacks?

I am really excited about being able to use physical therapy as an outlet to encourage other people who are struggling with their own physical setbacks. I think it's going to be really cool to wake up every day and go to a job where I can honestly relate, at least to some degree, to what the individuals around me are struggling with. I am hoping that I will have the opportunity to work with other amputees in some form or fashion, and to assure them that if I can do it, then there's no doubt in my mind that they can as well!

Pam Dollar 2008 Recipient of Strong Woman Award for Defender Defender {One who champions the cause of a disadvantaged person or group.}

“Pam Dollar is a defender of the voiceless. Being the mother of a child with autism, she has taken on the heartfelt duty of advocating for not only other children with autism, but also all disabilities. Pam currently serves as Director of the MSPTI (Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center). She advocates for improved services and programs for people with disabilities on a state and national level and has for nearly two decades- Leah A. Price

What does “Strong woman” mean to you?
To me it means hanging in there when “the waters are rough”, persevering through trials and coming out on the other side able to weather the next storm with even more resilience. It also means not being afraid to ask for help and support from others when you need it. We are all interdependent and need each other at times and that’s OK. Having the support of others is a blessing.

Did you have a role model or did you find yourself seeing a need and just giving yourself to it?

I’ve had a wonderful role model in a dear friend, Mandy Rogers. Mandy has two children with disabilities and I thank God every day that He placed me in her path 15 years ago when our children attended Magnolia Speech School together. She still serves as my “go to” person on special education issues, health issues with my son (she’s a nurse) and has always been there for me even when I just need a shoulder to cry on.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Having a son with autism has taught me that even though I may not be able to see it “in the moment”, God has a plan, much bigger than my own, and everything that happens in my life is to achieve his purpose for me. Through my son’s disability I’ve been able to achieve things that would not have been possible without the experience of parenting a child with a disability. It is truly the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. God has taught me tolerance, acceptance and compassion at levels that simply weren’t present in my life before. Through this experience he has shaped and molded me into a vessel which can be used to help others and minister to them…to make lasting changes in the lives of people with disabilities and in the way the world sees and responds to them.

What is the single most significant trait you would like to be in your character?
Faithful. The quality of being faithful is defined as loyal, full of faith or trust; firmly and resolutely sticking with a person, group, cause, belief, or idea, without waver.  I want to be faithful to the mission God has for my life.

Tell us a little about your own faith story.
I was raised going to church from the time I was born. I have wonderful parents who are both people of great faith. They made sure I had a strong foundation in God by taking me to church and living examples in their daily lives. I gave my heart to Jesus at a very young age and was always active in my church. However, I didn’t really learn what true faith was until my son was diagnosed with autism. 

How does God have a role in creating a “strong woman?”
He gives us the gift of life experiences which afford us opportunities to grow and develop character traits which help us evolve into the people he needs us to be to achieve his purpose for our lives.

Georgina Felder 2009 Recipient of Strong Woman Award for Mentor Mentor {One who invests herself in helping another as a counselor, role model, helper or encourager. }

“I met Georgina Felder in 2001 when I began dating her son. The way he spoke of her made her sound like some type of superhero, and I said to myself, ‘This is a woman I’ve got to meet!’

Now she is a wonderful mother-in-law, and counselor all wrapped into one. A pastor’s wife, devoted mother and grandmother and professional executive assistant, she still finds time to counsel single mothers, young girls who may have lost their way, and family members. She started a marriage ministry in our church that has been the guiding light for many of our young couples. She is not the type of person to teach one thing and practice another. I truly believe her duty as a role model is one of the reasons my own marriage has been such a success.”

- Celeste Fleming-Felder

What comes to your mind when you think “strong woman?”
A woman that is full of purpose, virtuous as stated in the Bible, (Proverbs 31:10), passionate, determined, confident and patient.

Who were your role models?
My grandmother, being the matriarch of the family with her patience, faith in God and ability to see the deeper meaning in life; my mother, for her great compassion and charitable heart; my eldest sister, for her confidence and determination; and my church mothers, for their faithfulness and guidance.  Each one of these women has displayed some portion of strength in their character.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why is it meaningful to you?
Philippians 4:13 – This verse has no limits. It encourages you that through Christ, the impossible can be made possible.

What is the single most important character trait you would like to be remembered for?
A legacy of helping others is what I would like to be remembered for. To sum it up in one word- Support, which encompasses a myriad of ways that one can help others.

A little about your faith story and how you began to do the things that made others think of you as a “strong” woman?
The strength of my life comes from being a Pastor’s wife.  His ministry became my ministry- which involves helping others. The more that I started dealing with people, the more challenging it became.  There are a lot of people in the world who encounter all types of situations in life that require the compassion and help from someone else.  Together, my husband and I began holding marriage and family counseling seminars and workshops.  Then we discovered we had more single parents than married ones, so we started a singles ministry.  It was not for just dating or finding the right mate, but it was more geared to how to cope with real life and its real situations. Then we discovered an even greater need that involved helping our young people. This is where the mentor ministry became more prevalent.  For me it was not about age, gender, etc, just people. So I became engaged in meeting the need, no matter what the demand. What would you want other women to know about strength?
It is about the power to endure. Strength requires endurance, virtue, patience, and will power. I encourage women to hang in there, be strong, even when it seems as if you cannot make it. Your faith will take you through.

Amber Jackson 2008 Recipient of Strong Woman Award for Promise Promise {A young woman aged 14-18 who demonstrates a commitment to high personal standards.}

“Amber has devoted her high school years to volunteering in the community and in helping others. She has been a Junior Volunteer at Rankin Medical Center for three years, participates in the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s “Race for a Cure,” spearheads a large amount of community service for Pearl High School—including collecting donations for Pearl’s Battered Women and Children’s Shelter and Blair E. Batson—and much more. She has spent many Saturdays volunteering at the homeless shelter and at campus and community clean-up campaigns. She tirelessly gives of herself, maintains good grades and attendance in school, and works after school and summers. Making a difference is what is important to Amber. She absolutely believes that one person at a time can make a difference.”
- Melissa B. Jackson

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

My favorite Bible verse is Matthew 7:16, which states “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” In other words, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I believe that if everyone would follow this statement then  the world would be a much kinder place.

Of all the things you want to define your character, what is the single most important and why?

I would like for my character to be defined by my service to the community and by helping others. I would like for people to see and lead by example.

What part does God play in your ambitions as a Strong Woman?
God has played all the parts in my ambitions as a Strong Woman. He placed me on this earth with a mission in mind. He gave me two wonderful parents who have encouraged me to help others and work hard to get somewhere in life and to continue to help the people in my community. He has provided me with encouragement and has given me the ambition to do everything that I set my mind to. My real passion is helping to provide food to people who would otherwise be without. The amazing management at Kroger has helped me to hold many canned food drives for both the homeless and for some of the unfortunate people in the community. I also enjoy raising money for St. Jude and helping out in any way that I can.

Dot Ward 2003 Recipient of Strong Woman Award for Leadership Leader {One who inspires others to take action for a common good.}

"She is persistent and dedicated to the causes that she holds dear. She mentors youth, defends the rights and liberties we have as Americans through her editorial writing in the local newspapers; and builds hope for the future by being a role model to others. She is a member of the NSDAR, Past President of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, Jackson Ballet Guild, Hinds County Lawyers' Wives, and Jackson Preparatory School PTA. She is a Charter Member and former board member of the Metropolitan Crime Commission and a Board Member of Keep Mississippi Beautiful and a Volunteer Reader on the Radio Reading Service. It is the "little things" that my mom does in her day-to-day living that truly reflect her leadership. She bakes cakes and pies for those who are ill, takes in the stray dog on the side of the highway and adopts it as a family pet. She is a leader in all of her endeavors and has touched the hearts of so many Mississippians through her unselfish acts of kindness.
- Erwin C. Ward, Jr.

What comes to your mind when you think “Strong woman?

Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

No one lives a life that is spared from disappointment, sorrow, pain, or loss. Each of us has some adversity to face, but a strong woman “rises up with wings as eagles” and with an unshakeable faith in God, perseveres to meet the challenges of life whatever they may be. Our strength is renewed if we wait upon the Lord.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” Prov. 3:5-6

What is the single most important character trait you would like to be remembered for?
I can’t think of a single most desirable trait of my character…but I am dependable. I’m also true to my word and usually will go the extra mile. 

A little about your faith story and how you began to do the things that made others think of you as a “strong” woman?

I have a number of young friends…just starting families or juggling family responsibilities with a career. Having traveled the road before them, I can offer encouragement and counsel.

How do you see your future as a Godly and a strong woman?

I consider myself blessed.  I’ve never doubted for a minute that I was not a child of God’s and while I’ve not always lived up to the example set by his Son, I’ve tried.  But the best part of “trying” is the knowledge that even when I fail, He loves me and will never forsake me.

(Dot’s book, “Everyone Should Have an Opinion….Here’s Mine” is a compilation of over 200 op-ed columns and letters-to-the-editor she wrote over the past 35 years.)