Outstanding Black Women of Yalobusha County
Stories of unsung black women who made or are making a difference in Yalobusha County, Mississippi
About the Picture
Aside from my grandmother, Jane Ophelia Williams Pritchard (Dec 20, 1871 – Sept 15, 1969) in the white bonnet, the names of the remaining women standing on the courthouse steps in Water Valley, Mississippi in the late 1800’s, are unknown. They are also holding similar bags in their hands. Contact us if you can identify any of them or have additional information.
Media spotlight
projects & events
THE PROJECT – PHASE I
Dottie Chapman Reed launched this project to compile and share information about black women in Yalobusha County who made an impact on the African American community. Her column appeared bi-monthly in the North Mississippi Herald.
THE PROJECT – PHASE II
The next phase of the project, in conjunction with the University of Mississippi, is underway featuring black families of Yalobusha. The first article is listed under the Family History tab and features the Love Family. Updates and occasional articles may appear here and in the Herald.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coming Full Circle Collection opened on September 29th will be on display at the J. D. Williams Library through Black History Month 2023 at the University of Mississippi.
February 8, 2023–Oral History, Memoirs Tell Our Stories –Noon – Two Mississippi Museum-Jackson, MS
March 1, 2023 – Presentation at OLLI – University of Southern Mississippi – 5:30PM – 228.214.3277
March 2 & 3, 2023 – Mississippi Department of Archives & History – Jackson, MS
About the Author
QUAYE CHAPMAN REED
A native of Water Valley, Mississippi and graduate of the University of Mississippi now residing in Stone Mountain, Georgia, Dottie retired from a career in education and corporate America. Aside from recruiting for her alma mater for three years she worked for East Tennessee State University, The Wall Street Journal and McGraw-Hill before starting her own business. She continues to work as a business development consultant and columnist.
Black Women of Yalobusha County, Mississippi 
