Breazeale named Woman of Distinction

Special to Wesson News

Jessica Breazeale of Wesson was named an honoree at the Connecting the Dots Foundation annual March banquet for National Women’s History Month, which was thematically framed as “Moving Forward Together! Celebrating Women Who Teach and Inspire Generations.”

The board of directors of the Connecting the Dots Foundation selected Breazeale as one of nine women to honor at the event held on last month at the Jackson Convention Complex.

Maggie Wade Dixon of WLBT 3 and Walt Grayson of WJTV 12 were emcees at the black-tie event. During the event,15 college students were also each presented $1,000 scholarships.  Carter Jewelers, America’s third oldest registered jewelry store, gave each Woman of Distinction a special gift.

Special guests at the event were Miss Mississippi, Miss Mississippi Teen, Miss Black Mississippi, Miss Juneteenth Mississippi, Miss Sweetheart World, and Ms. Black Mississippi.  Ballet Magnificat staged several performances.  Special videos featured Governor Tate Reeves, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, among others, congratulating honorees. 

“It was such a lovely and inspiring night,” Breazeale said.  “We laughed. We cried. We listened to amazing music from a saxophonist from Rochester, NY.  It was a special night.  One that I’ll always remember.”

Also honored as Women of Distinction were Dr. Erica Webber Jones, President of the Mississippi Association of Educators; Gabrielle Hyde, elementary teacher; the late Misha Mck, actress and activist; Kristen Stephenson, educator; Dr. Kimberly Hilliard, President/CEO of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship and engineer; Dr. Nia Day, a catalyst for nursing service, leadership and advocacy; and Dr. Jennifer Young Wallace, tenured associate professor of k12 PhD program at Jackson State University.

“I didn’t know they would ask me to speak,” said Breazeale.  “As I stepped up to the podium, I earnestly asked if ‘they were sure they got the right person.’  I’m not even in the same ballpark as the other Honorees.”

Breazeale’s 17 years in ministry and eclectic experience in education and non-profits were behind her nomination by Founder Dr. Luckett and selection by the Connecting The Dots Foundation board.

“Ministry is hard,” said Breazeale.  “Sometimes gut-wrenching. But I don’t do it because it’s easy or always fun. I do it because I’m called to effect change. I see a lot of things that need to be changed. If not me, then who? If not now, then when? So I keep powering on by God’s grace.”

Connecting The Dots Foundation inspires, empowers, and connects community service organizations by helping them realize their dreams and accomplish their goals through the development of activities, education, and financial support. CEO Dr. Marilyn Johnson-Luckett of Jackson leads the foundation.

Connecting The Dots Foundation seeks to bridge financial gaps of non-profits, missions, schools, churches, and projects to inspire communities to realize their dreams. It assists non-profit organizations in accomplishing their goals through fundraising events and donations.