Wednesday evening, the President’s Commission on the Status of Women at Mississippi State University hosted the Women’s Leadership in the Rural South Panel Discussion in the Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall.
The panel consisted of Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill, Judy Bonner, Provost and Executive Vice President at MSU, the Reverend Allison Stacey Parvin, ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and Pastor of Beth-Eden Lutheran Church and Camille Scales Young, principal and director at Cornerstone Government Affairs in Jackson. 
Betty Thomas, undergraduate representative and co-chair of the programing committee for PCSW, said they hoped attendees would leave this event both informed and inspired about the direction of female leadership. 
“We planned this event because we really wanted to show the young students and young women at Mississippi State all the wonderful female leadership and how there are women leaders in so many different fields,” Thomas said.
Thomas said she thought the event succeeded on all levels.
“I thought it went really well,” Thomas said. “We had a diverse group of speakers who each brought a unique perspective that people seemed receptive to.”
Despite the rainy weather the evening of the event, Thomas said she was glad to see people come from the community and across campus to hear the board of distinguished panelists, and show their support of the PCSW. 
“We ended up having had a fabulous turn out from the people in the community and from the students at Mississippi State,” Thomas said. “The Bettersworth Auditorium can seat about 514 people, so based on how full the room was, I would say we had about 450 attendees.” 
During this event, Susan Seal, executive director for MSU’s Center for Distance Learning, moderated the conversation and asked a wide range of questions to each of the panelist.
Each woman provided her own perspective on the challenges she has faced as a woman in her industry, as well as sharing helpful advice and words of encouragement for the young women in attendance.
Camille Young, panelist and MSU graduate, said opportunities like being a part of this panel for PCSW is something she cherishes and is always glad to participate in. 
“Anytime I can be an example or mentor to young people, and especially young women about reaching their full potential, whether that is with leadership, career goals or personal goals, I want to take the opportunity to do that,” Young said.
Young said she regularly speaks at schools, including MSU, and civic organizations throughout the year, and enjoys being able to give advice to such a diverse group of individuals. Young said the opportunity to be a part of this panel was something she could not refuse.
“When they offered me this chance to come and be a part of this amazing panel, I jumped at it,” Young said. “I think it is a great opportunity for the students here at Mississippi State to experience something like this.”
Mayor Spruill said she was also just as eager to participate in this panel and this event was something which sparked her own personal interest.
“If there is anything that is helpful I can do for young women as they go out into the world, I am excited about doing that for them,” Spruill said. “If I can be any kind of leader for them or any kind of help to them, then, that is an opportunity I would not miss.”
Spruill shared detailed insight into her career path and the struggles she faces as Starkville’s first female mayor.
Spruill said despite any push back, she has continued to work diligently as mayor, and has heard positive feed back from people who were previously detractors during her campaign.
Thomas said she could not have hoped for a better turn out for their event, and is also looking forward to any future events the PCSW will host.
“PCSW will continue to do events like this in the future so just stay tuned, and I hope that we will continue to also have such a large and active turn out as well,” Thomas said.