Gamma Chapter

Mississippi State Organization of the The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Key Women Educators of Meridian & Lauderdale County, Mississippi

RED ROSE AWARD

The Red Rose Award is a recognition program designed to increase the visibility of Delta Kappa Gamma in local chapter areas and to focus on promoting the work of women leaders in education -- those whose careers are education as well as those who advance the cause of education in other fields.  The program was established to carry out DKG Goal #5:  The Mississippi State Organization will actively promote and recognize participation and achievement of women in visible leadership roles. 


Kathy Brookshire and PG&S Chair, Amy Davis
5 March 2022

Kathy's vast professional experiences include teaching 1st and 2nd grades and teaching Gifted Education for several years.  She served as Meridian Community College Foundation Director for 17 years where she functioned as Foundation Travel Director for 13 years.  Kathy was also Consultant/Author, Development of Curriculum for Implementation in State-wide Gifted Programs through MS Department of Education.  She is the 2018 recipient of the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Foundation Outstanding Lifetime Leadership Award and has received numerous awards locally and statewide.  Kathy received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in1998 and was honored as STAR TEACHER in 1990.  She has attended and presented at numerous conferences nationwide.  Her most recent accomplishment is publishing a children?s book, Muska & Friends.

It would take pages to completely list Kathy's many accomplishments.  As such, Gamma Chapter is proud to name Kathy Brookshire as Gamma Chapter's Red Rose for the 2020-2022 biennium.

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19 November 2019

Becky Glover, Gamma Chapter's Red Rose Recipient

Becky has always had her hands and heart on her community and has sought to empower the citizens through education and supporting programs / groups that make Meridian and Mississippi better places to live.

Becky has worked for many years with Parents for Public Schools.  The mission of this organization is to advance the role of parents and communities in securing a high quality public education for every child.  She has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for individuals from the school and the community to meet and dialogue about what is necessary to make positive changes in our schools.

After 5 years with Parents for Public Schools, she was asked to serve as Executive Director for the Community Foundation of East Mississippi.  After serving for 3 years, she returned to Parents for Public Schools.  Becky currently serves as the community coordinator in the east central Mississippi area for the Schoolhouse to Statehouse Program of Parents for Public Schools National Organization.

Becky also serves voluntarily as the co-president of Mississippi's League of Women Voters of East Central Mississippi.  This partnership has enabled Becky and her teammates to broaden the number of Mississippians that are educated on important decisions that will affect local and statewide education policies and funding.  The League focused on issues and is nonpartisan. 

Becky's zeal and enthusiasm for Mississippi students will continue to ensure that parents and citizens in our area recognize, value, and prioritize quality education for all children.


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14 November 2015 

Shannon Coleman, Gamma Chapter's Red Rose Recipient

Shannon works at Meridian Community College as a career counselor where she teaches resume writing and job skills. She leads seminars in high schools across the county and organizes MCC job fairs. Shannon also serves on the MCC Curriculum Committee which reviews programs and helps decide which courses should be added or deleted.

Shannon serves on the Helping Hands Committee which was formed after Hurricane Katrina. This program reaches victims of house fires, job loss, and homeless students. She develops fundraisers to benefit students or faculty members who need assistance.

Shannon benefits the status of women in educational leadership roles as she serves on the advisory board for the Lauderdale Christian Women Job Corps.  She Takes applications of women who are looking for work and struggling women who do not yet have a GED.  These women meet with Shannon for ten-to-twelve weeks to learn how to compose resumes and gain work ethic.

She strives to better herself and others around her.  She is an outstanding role model who understands the needs of children and youth.

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     8 November 2014

LouAnn Henson, Gamma Chapter's Red Rose Recipient

Lauderdale County School District Attendance Officer, LouAnn Henson, is Gamma Chapter's Red Rose Awardee for 2014-2015.  Her position includes conferring with and educating parents and students about the importance of regular school attendance.

LouAnn is also employed with Hope Village for Children, a local therapeutic group home for abused and neglected children.  At Hope Village, she teaches valuable life skills to the residents who are housed there.

She is the single parent of an 18-year-old autistic son.  An active member of TEAAM (Together Enhances Autism Awareness in Mississippi), she has served as the Meridian Chapter President and has also served on the State Board.

LouAnn serves as Vice President of the Parent Circle of Meridian, a support group for parents and guardians with children special needs and disabilities.  Her influence directly impacts handicapped children and families by teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, and awareness of diversity.

These and LouAnn's numerous other affiliations and accomplishments have profoundly affected thousands of citizens in Meridian and Lauderdale County and have earned her Gamma's Red Rose.

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 12 November 2011

President Sylvia Gambill (right) presents Nurse Linda Farmer with Gamma Chapter's Red Rose Award.

Linda Farmer is a registered nurse and life-long resident of Meridian.  A passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness, she is a graduate of Meridian Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Alabama, and will complete her Master of Science in Nursing in December 2011.

Employed in a general surgery practice since 1987 with Dr. Robert Berg, she teaches breast health education, self exam, and is active in promoting the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program, and along with Dr. Berg, co-founded and co-facilitates CAREousel Breast Cancer Support Group.  She is married with 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren, and plans to continue advocating for breast cancer awareness in her new role as Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

In April 2011, Linda shared her Breast Health presentation with Zeta State members at State Convention in Natchez. She also presented at the June 2011 Leadership Management Seminar at Plymouth Bluff in Columbus.

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PAST RED ROSE AWARD RECIPIENTS

2019 ~ Becky Glover

2015 ~ Shannon Coleman

2014 ~ LouAnn Henson

2011 ~ Linda Farmer

2009 ~ Charlotte Tabereaux

2008 ~ Clara Godine

2007 ~ Anne Dowdle

2003 ~ Kim Benton

2003 ~ Cathy Trawick

2002 ~ Harriet Simmons

2001 ~ Lou Pennebaker

2000 ~ Marion Surles

1999 ~ Sylvia Autry

1998 ~ Martha Lemmons

1998 ~ Linnie Danner