Defender
One who champions the cause of a disadvantaged person or group

Linda West

Nominated by Marie Crowley

Marie says, “If anyone deserves to receive the Strong Women Award for Defender it is my friend Linda West. She is the founder of Mississippi Families for Kids in Jackson, an organization that helps place foster kids with the right family. Linda has put so much of her heart and soul in MFFK. Her agency is the only agency of this magnitude in Mississippi led by an African American. She works diligently with the national organization Wendy’s Wonderful Kids through the Dave Thomas Foundation. She is not only a defender of foster children, but she comes to the rescue of anyone she feels will fall through the cracks if something is not done. I’m not sure how she balances being a pastor’s wife, a mother, grandmother, business owner, instructor and mentor. She is now in the process of starting a mentoring program for at-risk males that are in the process of being phased out of the foster care system because of their age. My hat goes off to her for all of her hard work and dedication.”

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