‘Spark’ Award Winners Recognized at Spirit of Women Event featuring Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Director Kelli Finglass

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (October 10, 2025) Four Pine Belt women were honored for their commitment to caring for Women in our community as winners of the ‘Spark of Encouragement’ Award, presented at the Spirit of Women Annual Event on October 7.

This year’s event, “The Grit Behind The Glam,” brought more than 325 attendees from across the region to hear Kelli Finglass, director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the last 34 years, and a former DCC herself.

Kelli, who cheered for five seasons, shared behind-the-scenes stories about life with the DCC, sharing both heart-warming and humorous stories of life with the squad of 29 women.

One piece of advice Finglass had for women, “Press pause and take a moment for yourself each day.” She said her day starts off completely different if it begins calmly, without the news or social media. “There are 31 Proverbs, and I listen to one each day,” Finglass said, of the Bible app on her phone. “I have to have that time with myself, that time with God, and I’m a better person for the people I’m working with. If I’m chasing the day, and that happens a lot, then I need that time to give myself one positive nugget or one positive thought.”

Prior to Finglass’ introduction, four special attendees were recognized as inaugural ‘Spark of Encouragement’ Award winners, recognizing their work in making the community a healthier, safer, and more inspirational place to live. This year’s winners are:

Sherry Duff – The Lamar County Sherry Duff Leadership Summit is an annual leadership initiative in Lamar County that engages more than 60 high school junior girls through hands-on workshops, keynote speakers, and interactive sessions focused on leadership, communication, and career readiness. The program promotes personal growth, professional development, and community involvement.

Missy McGee – A State Representative, McGee started The Gandy Leadership Academy for high school freshmen girls in 2023. It is named after her predecessor and former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Gandy.

Gandy Leadership Academy is a 12-week leadership program that provides opportunities to build participants strengths as they meet with mentors in all walks of life and complete service projects.

Janice Robinson – The SeMRHI board of directors said that Robinson, who serves as CEO of Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, was a proven healthcare leader who has worked tirelessly to provide the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that SeMRHI has all it need to grow the organization effectively and to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. She is committed to addressing health disparities in rural communities.

Kimberly Butler – Butler currently serves as Ms. Wheelchair MS. Her platform, “Universal Design for All,” has a wonderful message to empower women in wheelchairs.  The platform emphasizes the importance of including people with disabilities in programs, services, and policies from the very beginning.

A Hattiesburg resident, Butler has partnered with Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker and the Forrest County Board of Supervisors to help establish an ADA Advisory Board. She also has hosted an ADA simulation to showcase the challenges people with mobility impairments face when navigating Hattiesburg’s city and county buildings.

Butler’s goal is to foster an equitable and happy quality of life for individuals with mobility challenges.

“Congratulations to the inaugural class of Spark winners—women who light the way for others and make a difference every day. Your leadership, mentorship, courage, compassion, and dedication inspire us all, especially the young women who look to you as shining examples of what is possible,” said Millie Swan, Forrest Health, Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer. “You shape a future where every girl knows her worth, sees her potential, and believes in all she can achieve.”

For more information, visit forresthealth.org/spiritofwomen 

SPIRIT OF WOMEN

Since 2004, Spirit of Women has been a valued resource for women of all ages in the community. Subscribers receive a monthly newsletter with healthy recipes, tips for living a healthier lifestyle, a blog, a calendar listing of upcoming SOW events, classes, donations, interesting stories, and community updates. Each year, programs are customized to meet the needs of today’s women and their families, no matter what stage of life they are in.