PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2025, Mound Bayou, Miss. – Today, Ladies’ Night Out’s founder and program coordinator, DeVoyce C. Morris of Mound Bayou, announced that the recently held event drew attendees from as far away as Jackson, Miss. and Marks. Held at the First Baptist Church in Mound Bayou and sponsored by the church’s Missionary Society, this event is held annually each October to create an awareness for breast cancer, domestic violence and SUIDS, all events that are held nationally during the month.
According to Janice Miller, the president of the First Baptist’s Missionary Society, the event was hosted by Doris Haynes Miller of Clarksdale. “Miller has served in this capacity for the past three years and we are delighted at her talents in connecting with her audience, even including a bit of storytelling and relating incidences in her own life,” stated Janice Miller.
Doris Haynes Miller is a native of Clarksdale and described as a born community leader, nonprofit CEO and an advocate for food and health equity, particularly in engaging young people and underserved farmers in the Mississippi Delta.
Marks native, CEO and founder of the Urgent and Primary Care Clinic in Clarksdale, Dr. Mary Williams, presented on breast cancer awareness where she reminded the audience to practice self-care by checking their breasts regularly. Dr. Williams also included a personal testimony from her own childhood, encouraging the audience to “never give up their dreams.” Yolanda Turner Evans, domestic violence victim and author of the book, Who Do You Tell?, brought the audience to tears as she told her poignant story of how she and her 16-year old daughter survived heinous crimes from her so-called “boyfriend.” “He is now spending 132 years behind bars for the torment he brought to my daughter and me,” said Evans.
Bernice Sykes of Marks, Hattie Walker of Rosedale and Timolin Howard of Mound Bayou provided entertainment with their own styles of gospel music. “A special segment on the program commemorated our warriors (survivors) who were presented with personally inscribed drinking glasses,” stated Bridgett Foster, the secretary of the Missionary Society. “Hattie Walker sang ‘You Thought I Was Worth Saving,’ as a special tribute to the two warriors,” said Foster.
Ladies’ Night Out is known for serving a home cooked meal prepared by some of the Delta’s finest cooks. “This year’s fare consisted of baked chicken, fried chicken, oven baked green beans with garlic, a fresh broccoli salad, Heavenly potatoes, hot buttered rolls, pound cake, peach cobbler, tea, lemonade and lime-infused water,” said Missionary Society member, Delores Jackson, who oversaw the serving of the meal. “We know that some attendees arrive here directly from work, and we want them to have a hot, full course meal,” said Jackson.
Another highlight of the program was the crowning of “Miss Plumb and Passionately Pretty in Pink” recognition. This year the contenders were Mrs. Antoinette Burton and Ms. Helen Holt. By rounds of applauses from the audience, Antoinette Burton walked away as the “2025 Miss Plumb and Passionately Pretty in Pink” winner. “Each year, a gaily decorated gift basket is raffled off and the proceeds are donated to Dr. Freddie White Johnson for the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Center in Ruleville,” said Morris. “This year we are donating $200,” she stated.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of the businesses, organizations and individuals who assisted financially and morally in supporting this event,” stated Morris. “With their support, we were able to continue our mission of calling awareness to breast cancer, domestic violence and SUIDS,” Morris continued. “We feel that our work has not been in vain when we consider the number of ladies who have shared in these awareness events,” she said. On several occasions, male guests have attended the programs. Bennie Norwood, a member of the Missionary Society, was the lone male attendee this year.
According to Janice Miller, community member, Verdean Parris, who is an artistic and talented decorator, transformed the fellowship hall into a warm and elegant setting using pink, purple and black as the predominant décor colors. “An inviting environment is important, especially for those who are suffering from losses,” stated Miller. Parris said that her late mother, Florence Stokes, was a member of the First Baptist Missionary Society. “I feel that what I do at First Baptist is in honor of my mother,” said Parris. Also, artistically talented member of First Baptist Church, Kim Johnson assisted with the decorations by making personalized glasses and decorating with balloon arches.
“There was no cost to attend Ladies’ Night Out,” said Miller. “We are more interested in the participants receiving the breast cancer, domestic violence and SUIDS awareness message,” she said.
Anyone who’s interested in sponsoring this event or have questions, they’re asked to please call Janice Miller at 252-955-7387 or DeVoyce C. Morris at 662-719-0090.
