In celebrating Women's Day, we're releasing the 6 most powerful women in Hattiesburg's History, who dared dream big, became trendsetters and barrier breakers. These powerful women walked the stage in which no other woman has gone before, with grace, class and dignity. They're not just breaking that glass ceiling, they're shattering it. In no particular order, they are:

Deborah Gambrell- Chancellor. The honorable Deborah Gambrell became the very first African American elected in the history of Forrest County in 1980. She was elected as a judge for the Forrest County Justice Court. She held that position until January 11, 2011 when she was appointed by then Governor Haley Barbour to serve as a Chancellor on Chancery Court to replace James Thomas who had won reelection despite his death a month earlier. She was re-elected in 2014 and again in 2018. She has since won numerous awards and honors including the Mississippi's Volunteer Lawyer's Project Beacon of Justice Award for her pro bono work of providing legal aid to the poorest of community.

Johniece DuPree- First Lady. The honorable Johniece DuPree became the very first African America first lady, breaking a 117 year tradition of only white women to serve in this capacity dating back to the City of Hattiesburg's very first woman to serve as First Lady, First Lady Jones, wife of Mayor Oliver Hazzard Perry Jones. First Lady DuPree married Mayor Johnny DuPree Ph.D on Christmas Eve of 1972. In 1988, they started their own real estate company. The first lady is a dedicated servant of Christ, working relentlessly with the eldering, primary helping with senior care living. In 2001, she instinctly became Hattiesburg's leading lady with class after her husband became the first African American Mayor in Hattiesburg's history, dating back to 1884. First lady DuPree is said to be a powerful political force behind the scenes with grace and dignity. She's also a cancer survivor and advocate appearing as special guest speaker to countless events raising breast cancer awareness, inspiring families and giving hope by encouraging other families and friends alike.

Deborah Delgado- City Councilwoman. The honorable Deborah Delgado became the very first African American woman to be elected to the most prestigious delegation of representatives in Hattiesburg, the powerful Hattiesburg city council, the first time since the mayor council system was adopted in 1985. Before then, the city was ran by a city commissioner. A legal expert Delgado has worked her entire career using her legal talents to help shape policy and local laws, also known as ordinances, to help those less fortunate, and improve or dismantle other ordinances that discriminate or make it difficult for people of color. She's an astute for history, creating a vision for Hattiesburg to prosperous in the poverish communities she represents under project name, Twins Forks, the original name of Hattiesburg before it was finally named Hattiesburg in honor of Hattie, Hattiesburg's founder 3rd wife. She's known as the people advocate, fighting for inequalities that exists within Hattiesburg. She also has a weekly radio show she host, expanding her platform even more.

Raylawni Branch- Student. The honorable Lieutenant Colonel Raylawni Branch became the very first African American student to attend the prestigious University of Southern Mississippi on September 6, 1965, breaking a 11 year tradition, when President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered all public spaces to be desegregated a year earlier in 1964. This was 10 years after the Supreme Court of the United States of American declared in the famous Brown vs The Board of Education that segregated schools were unconstitutional. Branch at the time was secretary of the Forrest County Branch of the NAACP. After college, she served as a collegiate nursing educator and became a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, only 2 ranks below general.

Sharon Thompson- District Supervisor. The honorable Sharon Thompson became the first woman to be elected to sit on the most eminent body of leaders representing the interest of Forrest County, by being elected in 2019 as the delegate for District 2 of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, breaking a 113 year tradition when Forrest County was incorporated. Sharon is the epitome of breaking the glass ceiling, have tried at least twice to defeat then incumbent President Emeritus of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, Charles Marshall.

She leads often with a smile but is no stranger to leadership or the county in general. She had previously been appointed by the Board of Supervisors to oversee the Forrest County Justice Court in which she served for several decades as the Forrest County Justice Court Clerk. Now as District 2 Supervisor, she serves a greater portion of constituents including the Rawls Springs and Glendale community on the outskirts of the City of Hattiesburg. A powerful force behind the scenes, Thompson has over 825 hours of administrative training at the prestigious Mississippi Judicial College, all of which is used to expand her platform to advance youth recreation.

Carol Jones Russell- Judge. The honorable Carol Jones Russell became the first African American to be elected to a county-wide position and the first woman ever to be elected as Youth and County Court Judge, breaking a 111 year old tradition. After returning from the studying at the world renown international King's College in London, UK, she returned home with her Cum Laude Juris Doctorate degree from the prestigious University of Mississippi Law School to work for her historic auntie, Chancellor Gambrell, at the Gambrell law firm. She also served as a public defender as well as City of Hattiesburg's Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem. A heart for youth, she was appointed as a parent attorney representative of Forrest County Youth Court. Now, she serves a Youth Court judge, overseeing family and youth matters, County Court Judges, where she hears matters related to Forrest County, and her county court serves as court of appeals from any justice court case. She rules her courts with empathy and compassion, with grace, dignity and beauty.

What better way to honor national women's day during Women History month than to recognized the 6 most powerful women in history who changed the game forever. They didn't just break the glass ceiling, they've destroyed it.