The Mercy Women with a Mission Susan Barrett Giving Society celebrated their 15th anniversary Oct. 17 at Osage House in Cave Springs.
The group was established in 2009 and has since raised more than $1 million to support projects and equipment for Mercy Northwest Arkansas. Their support has helped provide 0xygen blenders, Neopuffs and NICU iStat machines, surgical table for cesarean deliveries, breast ultrasound system, wireless fetal monitors, cardiology equipment and trauma carts.
The celebration included remarks from Fayetteville native Savvy Shields Wolfe, artist, influencer, entrepreneur and Miss America 2017. Wolfe discussed the importance of authenticity and resilience and emphasized the value of sisterhood to build connections and support.
Founding members of the group are Cindy Blair, Martha Bergant, Diane Callahan, Susan Duke, Maria Fairchild, Margaret Jurgensmeyer, Michelle O'Brien, Linda Scott, Julie Short, Nancy Trammel, Darlene Tuohy, Becky Umbarger, Tina Winham, Kasie Yokley and Leslie Zanoff.
Cardinal & White
Members of Cardinal & White, the University of Arkansas Razorback Foundation's new philanthropic society, were treated to Day on the Hill on Oct. 18, featuring tours of university athletic facilities and visiting with student athletes.
Tour stops included the Frank O'Mara Track & Field High Performance Center, the Bev Lewis Center for Women's Athletics and the Jerry and Gene Jones Student-Athlete Success Center, where the group enjoyed lunch and a Q&A with Razorback football players Ja'Quinden Jackson, Cameron Ball, Andrew Armstrong and Landon Jackson.
Ball thanked Cardinal & White members for their support and NIL that made it possible recently for him to to donate $1,000 to his high school football program, $1,000 to his church youth group and to offer his annual youth football camp at no cost to participants.
"Because of you guys giving back to me, I have an opportunity to give back to my community as well," he said.
The giving group is designed to support facility construction and renovations, student-athlete development opportunities, scholarships and other operations of the Athletic Department designed to enhance the student-athlete experience, according to the foundation's website.
Foundation leaders say Cardinal & White will help develop and sustain the UA athletic department "by providing world-class educational opportunities and athletic facilities, such as the existing plans for the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Baseball Development Center, the Frank O'Mara Track & High Performance Center and renovations to the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center."
Cardinal & White members enjoying a Day on the Hill included Avis and Bill Bailey, Charlotte Costner, Mike Duley, Trish and Justin Morrow, Valerie and Rick Angel, Mary Jane and Laney Briggs, Terri and Michael Calhoun, Mary and Bill Russell and Marie and Mark Ryan.
For more event photos -- nwaonline.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
Tabi Lipscomb (from left), Becca Shaddox, Sophia Lacy, Twilla Brooks, Bethany Carroz and Iffy Ibekwe attend the Mercy Women with a Mission celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Madison Baugh (from left), Hannah McHardy, Whitney Tolbert and Pat Curran visit at the Women with a Mission celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Lisa Lockwood (from left), Regina Bailey and Becca Shaddox visit at Women with a Mission on Oct. 17 in Cave Springs. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Melanie Alecusan (from left), Debbie Hardiman, Karen Leach and Marjorie Hannus celebrate with Women with a Mission on Oct. 17. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Mike Duley (from left), Evelyn Duley and Patrick Kamerling visit at Day on the Hill. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Laney and Mary Jane Briggs (from left) and Terri and Michael Calhoun, Cardinal & White donors, attend Day on the Hill. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Bill and Avis Bailey, members of Cardinal & White attend Day on the Hill on Oct. 18. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Marie and Mark Ryan (from left) and Mary and Bill Russell enjoy Day on the Hill. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Trish and Justin Morrow enjoy the Cardinal & White Day on the Hill on Oct. 18. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
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