MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Frazier, Blount, Mumford, Simmons (12th), Blackmon, Thomas, Turner-Ford, Michel, Hickman
A RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF DR. ELAYNE HAYES-ANTHONY, PIONEERING JOURNALIST AND JSU PROFESSOR AND ACTING PRESIDENT, AND EXTENDING SYMPATHY ON HER PASSING.
WHEREAS, Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony, barrier-breaking journalist and former JSU acting president, passed away on March 5, 2026; and
WHEREAS, leaders across Mississippi are paying tribute to Dr. Hayes‑Anthony, a pioneering journalist, educator and longtime public servant whose career reshaped media, higher education and state policy over more than five decades; and
WHEREAS, Elayne Hayes‑Anthony, a Jackson native and celebrated communicator, made history at WJTV‑12 as the first African American woman to serve as an anchor, producer and reporter at the station. Her breakthroughs in broadcast journalism opened doors for women and people of color across Mississippi newsrooms; and
WHEREAS, her career later expanded into higher education, where she served as Chair of Jackson State University's Department of Journalism and Media Studies and was appointed acting president in 2023. Throughout her career, Hayes-Anthony held numerous leadership roles in higher education and public service. She had previously chaired the Department of Communications at Belhaven University for 17 years; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said in a social media post that Hayes‑Anthony's contributions left a lasting mark. "Dr. Hayes‑Anthony was truly a remarkable person," Reeves said. "She was a trailblazer, a dedicated educator, and a tremendous public servant through and through. She made a lasting difference in the lives of so many, and her legacy will not be forgotten"; and
WHEREAS, United States Senator Roger Wicker also honored her leadership and influence. "Mississippi has lost a leader and pioneer, my friend Dr. Elayne Anthony," Wicker said. "Jackson State benefited from her steady hand during a time of transition. She was revered by its students. The Mississippi Association of Broadcasters recognized her leadership by electing her chair. Elayne's legacy of kindness, servant‑leadership, and community service will impact generations to come;" and
WHEREAS, Elayne also served almost two decades on the Mississippi State Board of Health, beginning with her 2007 appointment by Governor Haley Barbour and continuing through a reappointment by Governor Reeves. Her tenure included work on public health policy while she simultaneously led careers in broadcasting, education and community leadership; and
WHEREAS, "her passing is a loss to public health and higher education leadership," said Dr. Dan Edney, State Health Officer. "Her service has helped make our state a better place." Board of Health Chairman Dr. Lucius Lampton said she led "with intellect, creativity and integrity" and that her presence and friendship will be "deeply missed;" and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters, which she once led as its first African American woman president, remembered her as a force of mentorship and advocacy. "She worked tirelessly to create opportunities for others to succeed," the association said; and
WHEREAS, Jackson Mayor John Horhn highlighted her role as a barrier‑breaker in Mississippi media. "As a pioneering journalist and the first African American woman to serve as anchor, producer, and reporter at WJTV‑12, she broke barriers in Mississippi media and opened doors for countless Black journalists," he said. "Jackson is better because she chose to live, work, and lead here;" and
WHEREAS, U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson called Hayes‑Anthony a friend and a visionary in a social media post. "The lives she touched, the doors she opened, and the paths she cleared will continue to echo through the generations she inspired," Thompson said; and
WHEREAS, her leadership also extended to Belhaven University, where she served from 1998 to 2015. Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott described her as "a powerhouse in the classroom, a giant in the communications profession, and a faithful servant;" and
WHEREAS, Jackson State University, her alma mater, praised her decades of service. "Her leadership in the classroom, within her department and across the institution helped shape generations of communicators and storytellers," said Interim President Dr. Denise Jones Gregory; and
WHEREAS, Elayne is survived by her husband, Eddie; son Willard; and grandson, Aiden; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on our community and State:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony, pioneering Journalist and JSU Professor and acting President, and extend our heartfelt sympathy on her passing to her family and friends.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony's surviving family, forwarded to the President of JSU and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.