History
Board Emerita
Joan Bailey 2003
Susan Shands Jones 2004
Nancy Gilbert 2005
Jean Medley 2006
Dr. Geraldine Kearse Brookins 2007
Claudia Hauberg 2008
Jan Taylor 2009
Judy Mitchell Wiener 2010
Seetha Srinivasan 2011
LoRose Moore 2012-13
Kathleen O’Beirne 2014-15
Elta Johnston 2015-16
Julieta Mendez 2017
Kim Burke 2018
Susan Phillips, CPA 2019
Dr. Vonda G. Reeves 2020
Shanell Watson, CPA 2021
Margaret Oertling Cupples 2022
Lindsay Thomas Dowdle 2023
Mary Largent Purvis 2024
Dr. Michelle Owens 2025
Our History
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Origin
The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi began as a field-of-interest fund within the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson.
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Inaugural Power of the Purse
The first Power of the Purse event, an informative session on how women could get involved in philanthropy, was hosted.
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Public Launch
The Community Foundation officially launched the Women’s Fund.
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New Events
The Fund hosted several new events, including the first Lunch and Learn, Change by Design, and Dining by Fireflies
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International Women’s Day in Mississippi
Former governor Haley Barbour declared March 8th “International Women’s Day” in Mississippi.
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First Executive Directcor
Carol Penick appointed as the first Executive Director.
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W.K. Kellogg Foundation funding
W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded The Fund a two-year, $375,500 capacity-building grant to support future endeavors.
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Independent Organization
The Fund officially separated from the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and became an independent, statewide organization.
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Teen Pregnancy Focus
The Foundation committed to addressing proper sex education and teen pregnancy, and released an informational packet on the cost of teen pregnancy in Mississippi.
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Partnership for Women’s Prosperity
The Foundation joined the Partnership for Women’s Prosperity (PWP), an organization focused on supporting economically vulnerable women by providing opportunities in education, job training, and employment.
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Fact Not Fiction
The Foundation launched Fact Not Fiction, a website and statewide advertising campaign with the goal of lowering Mississippi’s rate of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
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Mature Endowment
The Foundation’s endowment was valued at $1 million, and it awarded $235,000 in grants.
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Two-Generation
The Foundation implemented the Two-Generation model, awarding grants to community colleges throughout Mississippi.
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Policy Success
The Foundation worked with the Community College Board to pass Senate Bill 2563, which requires community colleges to address the needs of women.
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David & Lucile Packard Foundation Funding
The Foundation continued to gain recognition locally and nationally, receiving a $1 million grant from the Packard Foundation.
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Retirement
Carol Penick announced her retirement after serving as the Executive Director of the Foundation for 9 years.
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Tracy DeVries
Tracy DeVries became the new Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation, effective January 1, 2017.
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New Research Released
The Foundation released research on women’s access to quality jobs in Mississippi showing that closing the wage gap between similar men and women workers would cut the poverty rate in Mississippi BY HALF.
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She’s on Board
The Foundation hosted its first annual “She’s on Board” training seminar where more than 130 women received board governance training.
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Melanie Powell
Melanie Powell became the new Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation, effective March 1, 2024.
