Women of Distinction

Bethany Cooley

Carolyn Erwin

Jennifer Hall

Dr. Betsy Herrington

Rachel Lott

Dr. Rebekah Moulder

Senator Kamesha Mumford

Cheryl Turner

Demetrice Williams Wells, Esq.

Dana Wilson

Bethany Cooley is a native of Waynesboro, Mississippi, and has proudly called the Jackson area home for more than 15 years. She is the proud mother of three children—Harper, Price, and Olivia—who inspire her commitment to service and community involvement.

Giving back has always been one of Bethany’s greatest passions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded a community-wide book drive that collected and distributed more than 10,000 books to local organizations, helping provide educational resources to children during a challenging time. She and her daughter, Harper, also lead an annual coat drive for local children in need and have donated more than 1,500 coats to date.

Bethany has dedicated countless hours to supporting nonprofit organizations and community initiatives throughout Mississippi. She has served on the Enchanted Evening Event Board, benefiting Friends of Children’s Hospital, and has held several leadership roles with the Junior League of Jackson’s Mistletoe Marketplace, including Decorations Chair, Promotions Chair, and most recently, Marketplace Chair for the organization’s largest annual fundraiser.

Professionally, Bethany began her career at Jackson Academy as a preschool teacher before transitioning into her current role as an Admissions Counselor. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she has chaired A Blue and White Night, served on the Make-A-Wish Committee and the Ignite the Night Silent Auction Committee, and was honored to serve as the 2024 Butterfly Ball Chair, benefiting The Canopy School.

Known for her servant leadership, ability to bring people together, and dedication to helping children and families, Bethany strives to make a meaningful impact both professionally and personally. Through her volunteer work, community leadership, and commitment to service, she continues to help strengthen the Jackson community and inspire others to do the same.

Carolyn Hale Erwin, originally from Texas, has called Madison, Mississippi home since 2014. She has a degree in English from Centenary College of Louisiana and has worked as the Director of Events and Educational Outreach at the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters since 2021. Carolyn is also assistant cheer coach to the MAIS State Champion small non-tumbling varsity and junior varsity teams at St. Joseph Catholic School.

The proud daughter of two retired public school teachers, art, literacy, and education are deeply important to Carolyn. She served two terms as President of the Ballet Mississippi Guild, helping to plan to groups’s first-ever Ballet & Blues event and establish the Guild’s Sugarplum Fairy’s Tea Party at Westin Jackson prior to the ballet’s annual Nutcracker performances at Thalia Mara Hall. Carolyn also served on Ballet Mississippi’s Board of Directors for many years and held the role of president in 2020. She has served as president of the Parent Association Board at both Saint Anthony Catholic School and Saint Joseph Catholic School. Carolyn served on the Advisory Council at Saint Anthony for four years, volunteered on its Starry Night Gala steering committee for 6 years, and chaired the Scholastic Book Fair for many years.

Carolyn is an active member of the Junior League of Jackson and volunteers with the Mississippi Children’s Museum’s Mission First STEM Club. She will serve as recording secretary for the MCM Partners 2026-2027 Board of Directors.

As a cancer survivor, Carolyn is perhaps most passionate about her cancer advocacy and fundraising work. Carolyn has volunteered as a member the American Cancer Society’s (ACS’s) Hope Ball of Mississippi’s steering committee since the very first event in 2021. She chaired the Hope Ball with her husband Jeremy in 2024 and will chair ACS’s Tickled Pink event in 2027. While in college, Carolyn volunteered as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority’s Think Pink breast cancer awareness program.

Prior to moving to Mississippi in 2014, Carolyn was a member of the Junior Auxiliary of Hammond, Louisiana, where she served as chapter president. She has previously been a member of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi’s Bacchus Ball steering committee, as well as a member of the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red committee.

Carolyn is the recipient of the American Cancer Society’s Distinguished Event Volunteer of the Year Award in 2022, ACS’s #1 Event in Mississippi Award in 2024 for Hope Ball, and the inaugural Katie Banks Legacy Award for cancer volunteerism in 2025.

Carolyn resides in Madison with Jeremy, her husband of 26 years, and their three daughters: Emerson, Landry, and Reid. They are active members of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where they serve on the hospitality ministry team and help with the angel tree project each Christmas. The Erwins enjoy traveling, trying new local restaurants, spending Mardi Gras in New Orleans, spoiling their cat Krewe, and cheering on the LSU Tigers.

Jennifer Hall has served as Executive Director of the Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association (MMHA) for 30 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University. Jennifer was selected as one of the Top 50 Business Leading Women in Mississippi by the MS Business Journal in 2005. The same year she was chosen Executive of the Year by the Mississippi Society of Association Executives. Jennifer was named the Manufactured Housing Institute State Association Executive of the Year by her fellow peers in 2005 and in 2021. She is a Paul Harris Fellow Member with the Rotary Foundation. Jennifer served as Governor Kirk Fordice’s finance director during 1994-1995 which brought her to the metro Jackosn area from Columbus, where she served as the Main Street Director.

Jennifer has served on various Board of Directors. She was appointed by Governor Bryant in 2016 to serve on the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) Board of Directors which is responsible for the management of all properties owned by the PRVWSD. She was elected as President of the PRVWSD board in 2017, the first woman to ever hold this position. She is very active in the manufactured housing industry by serving as the current vice chairman of the MHI PAC Committee, Chairman of the Federated States Division and serves on the MHI Board of Directors. She is very active in her community by serving as past president of the Greater Jackson Arts Council, President of the Official Mississippi Women’s Club (OMWC), past president of MSAE, and the past MS United Republican Fund Chairman. She has served over the past eight years on the MS Federation of Republican Women’s (MFRW) executive committee and as past president of the Rankin County Republican Women (RCRW). She has served on the Rankin Co. Republican Executive Committee several years. She currently serves on the following Board of Directors: Vice Chairman of the Mississippi Building Code Council, president of the Official Mississippi Women’s Club, Lakeside Presbyterian Women’s Council, and participates in other organizations such as area Chambers of Commerce, Governor’s Housing Recovery Committee, MS Business Alliance, American Society of Association Executives, MFRW, RCRW, and Mississippi Association of Executives (MSAE).

When time permits, she enjoys traveling, singing, and being a “Gigi” to her grandchildren. She is a member of the local singing group, JES, and enjoys singing at area churches, retirement homes, civic clubs, restaurants, private parties, etc. She has four children and three grandchildren. She was married to Commissioner Dick Hall who passed away in 2022. She resides in Rankin County at the Reservoir and is member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church.

Her personal priorities are as follows: God, family, church, work, and community. She loves the Lord and loves sharing how He has guided, directed, protected and loved her through life’s valleys and mountains.

Dr. Betty “Betsy” Herrington is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and serves as Division Chief of the Children’s of Mississippi Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Throughout her distinguished career at UMMC, she has held several key leadership roles, including Vice Chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Leadership Development Program. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Dr. Herrington maintains an active clinical practice as Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology. She is deeply engaged in pediatric cancer research and serves as the Principal Investigator for the Children’s Oncology Group, the nation’s leading pediatric cancer research consortium.

A native of Pearl, Mississippi, Dr. Herrington earned her medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1990. She completed her pediatric residency and fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UMMC before pursuing advanced subspecialty training as a Clinical Fellow in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is board certified in both General Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Dr. Herrington is dedicated to improving access to high-quality care for children across Mississippi who are diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders. She is committed to advancing the mission of the state’s only children’s hospital: improving children’s health through world-class patient care, education of future healthcare leaders, and the promotion of discovery and innovation. She is equally inspired by the vision of Children’s of Mississippi—to impact the life of every child in the state and help each reach their fullest potential.

Dr. Herrington and her husband, Charlie, reside in Flowood, Mississippi. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. In their free time, they enjoy traveling and supporting Ole Miss athletics.

Rachel Lott is originally from Natchez, Mississippi, and has proudly called the Jackson/Brandon area home for more than 20 years. She has been married to her husband, Brian, for 20 years, and is a stay-at-home mom to their two sons, Alex and Andrew.

Deeply committed to her community, Rachel has spent more than a decade actively serving in a wide range of civic and philanthropic organizations. Her involvement includes leadership within the Junior League of Jackson, as well as PTO President roles at both Northshore Elementary and Northwest Rankin Middle School. She also played a significant leadership role with the Mississippi Children’s Museum Partners, where she served as President. In addition, she has supported and volunteered with Catholic Charities and Tickled Pink, along with numerous organizations including the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women, Canopy Children’s Solutions Butterfly Ball, American Cancer Society Hope Ball, Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi Bacchus Ball, Jackson Symphony League Gala, Make-A-Wish Gala, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, and the St. Anthony Catholic School Advisory Council, where she served as Secretary.

When she isn’t volunteering or cheering on her sons at tennis, Rachel enjoys cooking with her family, spending time with friends, and staying involved in activities that strengthen and support her community.

Dr. Rebekah Moulder is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who has dedicated her career to serving the health and well-being of families across Mississippi. Since becoming board certified in 2005, she has combined compassionate patient care with visionary leadership in healthcare.

In 2005, Dr. Moulder was one of four physicians who helped establish St. Dominic Medical Associates. What began as a small physician-led practice has grown into an organization of more than 100 providers and is now part of the larger Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS), a network of approximately 900 providers dedicated to improving the health of communities throughout the region.

A respected healthcare leader, Dr. Moulder serves on the St. Dominic FMOLHS Hospital Board and is Chair of the St. Dominic Medical Associates Board. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Franciscan Health Physicians Board, helping guide strategic initiatives that strengthen patient care and physician engagement.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Moulder is deeply committed to faith, family, and service. She and her husband, David, have been married since 1995 and are proud parents of three children: Burkette, Hensley, and Sarah Breyden. An active member of Bellwether Church, Dr. Moulder volunteers in the one-year-old nursery, reflecting her passion for nurturing and serving others. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League, where she supports community initiatives and volunteer efforts that improve the lives of families and children in the Metro Jackson area. As a former Girl Scout herself, Dr. Moulder has a personal appreciation for the organization's mission and the lasting impact it has on developing leadership, confidence, and service-minded young women.

Through her leadership in medicine, dedication to community service, and commitment to mentoring and supporting future generations, Dr. Moulder exemplifies the values of courage, confidence, and character celebrated by Girl Scouts of Mississippi.

Senator Kamesha Mumford received her Bachelor’ s Degree in Political Science from Mississippi State University (2003) and her Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law (2007). She is licensed to practice law in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Kamesha is the owner of Mumford Title, LLC, a boutique real estate closing office that provides title insurance to both the home buyer and lender. Kamesha is also a partner at Mumford & Mumford Law Firm, where she specializes in real estate and tax sale litigation. She has appeared in nearly every Chancery Court in the state of Mississippi and before appellate courts in Mississippi and Louisiana.

In 2013, Kamesha was appointed Municipal Court Judge for the City of Canton, her hometown, where she served for 12 years. On December 2, 2025, Kamesha was elected as State Senator for MS Senate District 26, which covers parts of Hinds and Madison counties. In the Senate, she serves on the Finance, Workforce and Economic Development, Veterans and Military Affairs, Tourism, Constitution, and Labor committees.

Kamesha is very actively involved in the community. She serves on the Board of Directors of Dress for Success Metro Jackson, as past President and General Counsel. She is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Madison County and a 2013 graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson. Kamesha is also a member of the Clinton, MS Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; The Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of the Links, Inc., and The Jackson, MS Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. In 2013, she was selected as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women and was selected as Best Real Estate Attorney by the Jackson Free Press in 2020.

She is an active member of New Hope Baptist Church, where you can sometimes find her in the choir or teaching Vacation Bible School. She loves the Lord with all her heart and strives to strengthen her faith community.

Kamesha is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Sammy & Shirley Brown of Canton, MS. She is married to Hinds County Prosecuting Attorney, Gerald Mumford, and they have two children, Garrison (13) and Gianna (8).

Cheryl W. Turner, a native of Jackson, MS, was elected International President during the 56th National Convention, July 2025 in Washington, DC. As International President she provides leadership, administrative guidance and direction to the structure and programming of the Sorority, including 1050 chapters over seven (7) regions and four (4) continents, as well as guiding the sorority’s strategic direction as Chair of the National Board of Directors.

Cheryl Turner served as the National First Vice President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority where she was responsible for the overall management of membership growth, development, and sustainability, as well as Sorority wide College/University relations, disciplinary actions, and advisement of Regional Officers. Previously, she served as Co-Chair of the 2021-2023 National Program Planning and Development Committee, and represented the committee as a member of the Delta Research and Educational Foundation Board. Previously, she served as Chair of the Reclamation Project, a subcommittee of the National Membership Services Committee (2017-2021). During her tenure, the team surpassed the reclamation goal set for each year.

Serving two consecutive terms as the Southern Regional Director (2011 - 2016), Cheryl later joined a small class of former Regional Directors tapped to serve as the Interim Southern Regional Director (Spring 2022). As a Regional Director, Cheryl was responsible for the oversight and management of 205 chapters in the largest region of the Sorority.

In 2009-2011, Soror Turner was appointed Southern Region trainer for the Culture of Giving Campaign under the Delta Research and Education Foundation, and also served as elected Chair of the Regional Nominating Committee, 2007-2009.

Initiated into the Lambda Sigma Chapter at the University of Mississippi, she is a Diamond Life Member who is currently financially active with the Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter.

Demetrice Williams Wells, Esq. is a legal advocate, public servant, and community leader who embodies the spirit of a true servant leader. A self-described small-town girl with a big heart for others, Attorney Wells has spent decades dedicating her life to uplifting her community, protecting civil rights, and serving families across Mississippi. Her profound commitment to servant-leadership and community support is deeply rooted in her faith. This foundation was established during her formative years as a youth leader and member of the Fearns Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.

Professionally, she is celebrating a monumental milestone of 20 years as an attorney. Her legal journey began after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Tougaloo College in 2002, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. She then earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2006 and was admitted to the Mississippi Bar to practice law in the State of Mississippi that same year.

Today, she is the founder and owner of The Williams Wells Law Firm, PLLC, situated in the heart of downtown Main Street in her hometown of Flora, Mississippi. Her firm holds the historic distinction of being the first Black-owned law firm in the town of Flora, providing crucial representation in criminal defense, personal injury, family law, and chancery court matters. Known for her unyielding commitment to justice, she ensures that every client understands and protects their legal rights.

Beyond her private practice, Attorney Wells has dedicated her entire career to public service, community development, and civil rights advocacy. She has served as the Sunflower County Public Defender since 2006 providing zealous representation for indigent clients in Mississippi's 4th Judicial District. Attorney Wells previously served as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the City of Jackson resolving resident utility billing disputes. She is a Past President of the Mississippi Public Defender’s Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Attorney Wells also previously served as Vice Chairman of the legislatively created Mississippi Public Defender’s Task Force. Additionally, she furthers her commitment to systemic justice and legal excellence through her active membership in the Magnolia Bar Association.

Championing economic growth and civic engagement in her hometown, she has also served as a Board Member for the Flora Chamber of Commerce. Her Professional excellence has earned her widespread recognition, including being named one of the Mississippi Business Journal’s 2019 Top 50 Businesswomen, 2020 Businesswoman of the Year Finalist, and a Tougaloo College prestigious “40 under 40” honoree.

Her leadership shines just as brightly through her extensive civic engagements. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, she has served as a dedicated leader locally, regionally, and internationally. Attorney Wells served as the 44th President of the Beta Delta Omega Chapter in Jackson, the state's oldest and largest chapter and currently serves as Parliamentarian of the chapter’s foundation, Coleman Alexander Prosser Foundation. She is also the current Connection and Social Action Coordinator for the State of Mississippi and served as the sorority’s Boule Teller’s Chairman in 2020 and 2022. For her outstanding dedication, she was honored as the 2025 Alpha Kappa Alpha Member of the Year for the Extra-Large Chapter. Additionally, Attorney Wells is a proud and active member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Jackson, Mississippi Chapter, working to nurture future African American leaders.

At the center of her life is her devotion to family. She is the daughter of the late Alma Ree Williams and Mr. Sylvester and Joanna Lewis. Raised within a deeply close-knit family, she is one of eight siblings, sharing her life's journey alongside Tiffany, Bridgette, Courtney, Angela, and Cordell, while fondly treasuring the memories of her late brothers, Sylvester and James. Mirroring her public servant’s heart in her private life, she is a loving aunt who selflessly stepped in to assist and support her nieces and nephew following the tragic passing of her brother, Sylvester, in 2015.

Attorney Wells is happily married to Marlon Wells, and together they share a son, Mason Wells, and a daughter, Markinziae' Wells. Guided by her unwavering faith, she credits every goal she has ever accomplished first and foremost to God, and then to her village of devoted and loving family members and friends. Attorney Wells continues to walk in her purpose as an advocate for justice and a pillar of strength for her community.

Dana Wilson is Head of Product for Auris Payroll, where she leads the product strategy and roadmap for a nationwide payroll and HR technology platform. In her role, she partners across the organization to deliver customer-centered solutions that drive adoption, strengthen retention, and create measurable impact for clients. Over the course of her 18-year career in product management, Dana has built a reputation for thoughtful leadership and a passion for creating award-winning products.

A native of Louisiana, Dana earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northwestern State University in 2005, where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, Order of Omega honor society, and Rho Lambda women’s leadership society. She went on to earn her Master of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University in 2006. Dana was also a Girl Scout in Bossier City and remained involved through high school, an experience that helped shape her leadership foundation. During her years in Girl Scouts, she had the opportunity to visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, deepening her appreciation for the organization’s history and mission.

Dana has called Jackson home since 2011 and has remained active in the community. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Jackson, where she served on the 2017 Mistletoe Marketplace Steering Committee and also spent four years on the Board of Directors. Her professional and community leadership have earned her numerous recognitions, including being named one of the Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 50 in 2018 and one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women in 2020. She was also recognized as a Best Dressed Jackson honoree in 2021 where she raised over $10,000 benefiting the American Cancer Society.

She and her husband, Scott, live in Jackson with their two daughters, Rhodes and Reeves. In her free time, Dana enjoys reading, traveling, and cooking with her family. She is honored to support Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi and the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Title Sponsor

Christa Alexander

Mende Malouf Alford

Therese Apel

Tyler Lott Armstrong

Mayor Rosemary Aultman Libby Aydelott

Barbie Bassett

Jill Beneke

Dean Patricia Bennett

Dr. Rhea Williams-Bishop

Carolyn Boteler

Olivia Brown

Donna Bruce

First Lady Deborah Bryant Carol Burger

Hope Bynum

Dr. Jasmin Owens Chapman

Tara Clark

Montyne "Tina" King Clay

Dr. Nicole Duncan Cleveland

Pamela Confer

Toni D. Cooley

Martha Dearman

Bettie Delcomyn

Maggie Wade-Dixon

Dr. Juanita Sims Doty

Johniece Dupree

Renee Ebner

Carol Biedenharn-Edmonds

La'Verne Edney

Allison Fisackerly

The Honorable Lynn Fitch

Shelley Brown-Floyd

Amanda S. Fontaine

Dr. Ruth Fredericks

Becky Vaughn-Furlow

Dr. Felicia Gavin

Debra Hendricks Gibbs, Esq.

Pelicia Hall

Tondra Hall

Monica Sethi Harrigill

Constance Slaughter-Harvey

Margo Hemphill

Jackie Hester

Jamie Boteler-Higdon

Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan

Rosalyn Howard

LaRose Hunter

Becky Ivason

Gloria B. Johnson

Kathy Johnson

H. Ann C. Jones

Dr. Francis A. Karnes

Beth Kellogg

Carla Kirkland

Maggi Lampton

Holly Lange

Davetta Cooke Lee

Liza C. Looser

Ebony Lumumba

Dr. Lori Hill Marshall

Jamie Planck Martin

Mona Arnold-McBride

Joni McClain

Dr. Yolanda McElroy

Debra McGee

Lauren King McGraw

Katherine McCall-McRae

Dr. Carolyn Meyers

Deanne Mosley

Cathy Lott-Northington

Linda Parker

Manisha Patel

Rica Lewis-Payton

Mary Ann Petro

Loraleigh Phillips

Sherry Pitts

Gail Pittman

Kendall Poole

Wendy Putt

Elizabeth J. Randall

Leigh Reeves

First Lady Elee Reeves

Pamela Reeves

Dr. Mildred Ridgway

Charlotte Harness Seals

Janet Jones Scott

Ora Shaheed

Dorothy Shaw

Jennie M. Simmons

Candie L. Simmons

Donna Sims

Beth Magee Smith

Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth

Dana Stringer

Dr. Paula Stewart

Dr. Mary Taylor

Pat Thomasson

Sarah Bailey Thomas

Mollie VanDevender

Amy Lampton Walker

Terryce Walker

Dr. Carmen Walters

Bobbie K. Ware

Rosie Weary

Pearl Wicks

Trish Windham

Dr. Loretta Jackson-Williams

Dr. LouAnn Woodward

Rita Wray

Camille Scales Young

Council Finder

Women of Distinction

Women of Distinction 2026

August 19, 2026

8:00 am - Silent Auction Opens

9:00 am - Program Begins

Class of 2026 Women of Distinction Laureates

Meet The Laureates

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors:

Title Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

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Two decades of celebrating women of courage, confidence, and character: