Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2017

COASTNOTES
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Women Of Wisdom
WOW (Women of Wisdom) meets monthly to empower, support and encourage women regardless of background. Founder Robin Killeen says the group has three Cs, which are to connect women of all ages, backgrounds and denominations through an atmosphere of fellowship and service; to create a place where all women can talk openly and honestly in a safe and confidential atmosphere; and to cultivate positive relationships while encouraging every woman to be the best she can be.
“I was working in staffing and thought about the many hats that women wear,” she said. “I wanted to start a group where women could come to relax, have lunch, be inspired and not have to do anything.”
After careful planning and conferring with other women, her vision took shape with a luncheon in October 1999. WOW continues to meet every second Wednesday of the month at the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport. There is always a speaker and a $10 catered lunch is optional.
The group also has outreach projects that include helping the Women’s Center for Nonviolence and Back Bay Mission.
honored by Boy Scout council
Robin Killeen and DeBo’rah Ward
Robin Killeen and
Dr. Eileen Whittemore
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Michael Sunderman
Brig. Gen. Spraggins and Dave Dennis
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Joe Spraggins was honored by the Pine Burr Area Council, Boy Scouts of America as the Gulf Coast Distinguished Citizen for 2016.
Dave Dennis made the presentation to Spraggins, saying, “Brig. Gen. Spraggins has worked tirelessly to help make the Gulf Coast a great place to live and raise a family. The Pine Burr Area Council is pleased to honor him as our Distinguished Citizen.”
The honoree, who earned
the rank of Eagle Scout, was reared in Alexander City, Ala., where his father was a long time Scoutmaster of Troop 63. During his 34-year military
career, he attained the rank
of Brigadier General with
his last assignment as Battle Commander First Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Tennessee Air Guard.
After retirement from
the Air Force, he was appointed director of Emergency Management, Homeland Security and E-911 commissioner for Harrison County. He began work the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall.
Currently, Spraggins is the chief operations officer for
the Mississippi Department
of Marine Resources and a commissioner of the Gulfport/ Biloxi Airport Authority.
Jonathan Allen, Brig. Gen. Spraggins and Rich Westfall
20 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • February 2017 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
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