House Resolution 191

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING DR. CINDY AYERS ELLIOTT FOR BEING NAMED USA TODAY'S 2023 WOMAN OF THE YEAR HONOREE FOR MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, from New York investment banker to Mississippi farmer, Dr. Cindy Ayers Elliott is USA TODAY's 2023 Woman of the Year honoree for Mississippi, a truly outstanding honor; and

WHEREAS, launching in 2022, USA TODAY's Woman of the Year program is a recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact, and a continuation of Woman of the Century, a 2020 project that commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote; and

WHEREAS, as CEO of Foot Print Farms, Dr. Ayers Elliott's goal is to provide healthy food options, and educate Mississippians on how to better feed themselves, as well as how to provide for themselves through urban agriculture; and

WHEREAS, Foot Print Farms is a 68-acre specialty crops, vegetables, and livestock farm, with a focus on agri-tourism for community development in the City of Jackson, dedicated to growing an array of fruits and vegetables, raising meat goats, and cattle, and Dr. Ayers Elliott believes that planting seeds in the earth will grow fresh vegetables, however, planting a seed in the minds of young people will create a new universe of scholars; and

WHEREAS, after working five years as CEO for Delta Foundation, Delta Enterprises in economic development in the Mississippi Delta, Dr. Ayers Elliott also worked many years in New York as an investment banker, and she participates with the United States Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to ensure her farm is productive and environmentally friendly, and while she depends on her farms for sustenance, she also aims to use them as an educational tool for people not accustomed to new ways of farming; and

WHEREAS, considered a rock star in the world of business and agriculture in Mississippi, Dr. Ayers Elliott is the recipient of the Mississippi Business Journal Top 50 Businesswomen in Mississippi, and established the 2nd Freedom School Summer Program in Washington County, Mississippi, and she is a proud member of the George Washington Carver Future Scientist of America 4-H Club, and was presented with the Jackson State University College of Business Department of Entrepreneurship Women Entrepreneurs Award; and

WHEREAS, living every day to be a catalyst for change, Dr. Ayers Elliott was also awarded the Outstanding Minority Business of Central Mississippi, from the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance, Inc., in October 2014, and was elected as Chairman of the Hinds County Soil and Water Conservation District in September 2014; and

WHEREAS, outside of her remarkable career and community involvement, Dr. Ayers Elliott takes great pride in being a graduate of Jackson State University, and is the proud mom of LaGrand and Eric Elliott, and the grandmother of Christian, Erica, Zoe and Skylar Elliott; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize extraordinary Mississippians such as Dr. Ayers Elliott, whose tremendous dedication to agriculture education and passion for community service brings honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Dr. Cindy Ayers Elliott for being named the USA TODAY's 2023 Woman of the Year honoree for Mississippi, and extend to her our most sincere wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Cindy Ayers Elliott and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.