By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
March 22, 2001
Betty Lou Jones of Meridian was among nine women honored Wednesday in Jackson with a Mississippi Women's Conference "Power of One" award for outstanding community service.
The recipients were selected from anonymous entries that described the community volunteer service and work experience of the nominees.
Jones was described in her nomination as "a role model for any woman, and aspires to impact her community and make a difference in the lives of others."
Jones has earned many honors from Meridian organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, the Junior Auxiliary, the American Heart Association, the Boys and Girls Club of Lauderdale County and Habitat for Humanity of Lauderdale County.
She is currently chairman of the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life fund-raiser. She has previously served as team recruitment chairman for the local event, which has been consistently recognized by the national office of the American Cancer Society as the "biggest and best" Relay in the state.
Jones is also credited with organizing "Art for Heart," a fund-raiser for the American Heart Association established in 1999. In 1989, Jones developed a program called "Teen Esteem," which received national recognition. She is the recipient of the Junior Auxiliary's 2000 "Humanitarian of the Year" award. In 1999, Jones was named "Woman of the Year" by readers of The Meridian Star for her volunteer service.
Jones has been a member of the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Lauderdale County and serves as chairman of its annual "Celebration of Excellence" ceremony. She is a longtime Habitat for Humanity volunteer and was involved in the Woman's Build in 1998, where women from Lauderdale County raised $45,000 and used the money to build a home for a local woman.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.