Exactly what is a “caring woman?” Sounds like a relatively simple question, however I couldn’t have given you a definitive answer to that question this time last year.

But after I attended my first Natchez Community Hospital Caring Women luncheon last year, I’d like to share the long and worthy answer to that question.

Today’s caring women don’t come in cookie-cutter shapes, colors, ages or sizes. They are, however, blessed with special gifts and characteristics that set them apart from others. But they share one commonality: each one lives a quiet life filled with compassion and service that touches and inspires others.

They are also mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers, sisters, daughters, cousins and friends. They are single, married, career oriented and volunteers.

Leading ordinary lives of selfless service, they are simply women who put others first and go out of their way to help those less fortunate.

While they can’t be defined by a simple definition, one thing is certain. Caring women are exceptional women who have made an outstanding contribution to our community or through service to others. They have inspired hope in others with their actions, making the world calling attention to their actions.

Not only did I learn the definition of what a caring woman was, but I learned about the wonderful women of this great community, and it was moving event.

I saw that caring women are all around us. They are in our homes, schools, churches and workplaces. They are ordinary women leading extraordinary lives.

For the sixth year, Natchez Community Hospital is proud and honored to sponsor “Caring Women.” We would again like to honor the women in our community who are making a difference in the lives of others each and every day.

I personally invite you to nominate that special caring woman in your life in one of the following categories:  4Leadership — one who inspires others to take action for a common good.

4Perseverance — one who has overcome personal adversity.

4Mentor — one who serves as a role model to encourage others.

4Volunteer — one who invests in helping others.

4Defender — one who champions the cause of a disadvantaged person or group.

4Promise — a young woman 16-21 years old who demonstrates potential to become a caring woman.

A celebration luncheon and awards ceremony for all nominees, as well as their nominators will be hosted on May 8. All nominees will be recognized and one extraordinary woman in each category will be selected as Natchez Community Hospital’s 2014 Caring Woman.

Nomination forms are available in the main lobby of the Natchez Community Hospital. You may also visit natchezcommunityhospital.com. or 95 Country’s website listenupyall.com and submit your nominations online.

The nomination form is also inserted in today’s The Natchez Democrat. Deadline for nominations is April 8 and only the first 100 nominations will be considered.

Won’t you take a few minutes and think of the women in your life who have made a difference to you and those around you, and share them with us and the rest of the community?

Nominate a “Caring Woman” today!

 

Eric Robinson is chief executive officer of Natchez Community Hospital.