This woman wears so many crowns (hats) that we are baffled that she keeps them on straight. She amazes us. She is faithful and very responsible in all of the crowns she wears. She is the wife of Tommy Ray Hopkins, mother of Marcus, Donna, Derrick and Eric Hopkins. She is grandmother of nine, great grandmother of one. She is the daughter of William James and Betsy Ann Eichelberger, both deceased.
One crown represents the many hours of quality time that she has spent with her grandchildren from tutoring them, to providing transportation for them to various functions, and to being their 4-H Club volunteer. One year, she along with them and other Mt. Sinai Community children planted an acre of vegetables one year. This garden provided enough food for all of the families of the 4-H Club Members. The members range in ages 5 – 16 years old. Her husband, Tommy helped her by cutting the garden with the tractor. Since the nominee is a retired teacher and nutritionist, she does a wonderful job in teaching them all they need to know about the vegetables they grow. They meet at her house often; cooks to enjoy healthy meals. The older ones are now cooking for her. She also served as secretary of the Winston County Master Garden Association for 4 years. They completed many community service projects throughout the county, especially at the schools and parks.
Second crown, which she wears, is as cofounder of a new organization in our community which is Winston County Type 2 Diabetes Coalition (now changed to Coalition for Healthy Living). It was started in 2007 with the assistance of Ms. Betty Daniels of Mississippi State Health Department; with the association of the Winston County Extension Office and Mississippi State University. In 2008, the local chapter of Women in the NAACP (WIN), with the leadership of Janice and Carolyn R. Hampton, submitted a grant and were awarded $10,000 the first year. They reapplied in 2010 and the group was awarded $13,000. The group has educated hundreds of Winston County residents about diabetes and how to care for themselves. They became concerned that more residents were experiencing dialysis, limb amputations, loss of sight, neuropathy, and obesity in all age groups in Winston County. They worked together on various projects namely, Health Fairs, Back-to-School Rallies, Education, Social and Economic Workshops (Financial & Home Buyers Workshops, Credit Workshop, Youth Spring and Fall Garden Workshop) and Kids-in-the Kitchen.
The Diabetes Coalition focused much of its attention toward the black population in Winston County because the death rate for the black population is 27% higher compared with Whites. It is the fifth leading cause of death for African Americans ages 45 years and older. Janice is involved at every level of the group, from conducting workshops; to attending seminars for training to conduct the workshops; to organizing and partnering with other organizations; to participating in exercise groups; to preparing reports. Janice can be heard in informational workshops saying, “We recognize that diabetes can be managed or prevented by eating healthy, being physically active, taking appropriate medications, and monitoring the glucose levels. We plan to take a family approach to the prevention as well as control of diabetes by having the community help support individuals and families in prevention and management of diabetes”. Janice has helped to plan the goals for each year which have included to:
•Provide education in reading and understanding food labels
•Present fashion show with diabetic participants, to include appropriate foot wear
•Address mental health concerns with chronic illnesses
•Conducted foot management workshops
•Planed Walk for Diabetes
•Hosted Diabetes Luncheon
•Held Health Fairs with diabetic screenings at the Louisville Municipal School
District’s parent center, Juneteenth Day, Red Hills Art Festival,
designated churches and local industries
•Sponsor symposiums with healthcare professionals providing the latest developments in the prevention and management of diabetes
•Provide Diabetes Day Camp for youth
•Distribute diabetic literature throughout the community: beauty/barber shops, grocery stores, library, cafeterias in schools, churches
•Encourage churches to start diabetes support groups in their congregations
•Provide diabetic training for community leaders
Most importantly, with Janice’s leadership, this group started a Farmer’s Market in Winston County. It is opened throughout the summer on Fridays and the Monday before Thanksgiving. It is an excellent way for small farmers to get out their produce, canned goods and bakery.
Third crown that she wears is with the Voters League of Winston County. Yearly, she is the coordinator of the Annual Juneteenth Day Celebration, which is a festival to celebrate the freeing of the slaves. June 19, 1865 is the day that many slaves in Texas found out that they had been freed even though they had been freed several years prior. Janice has held both positions for many years. The celebration is held at Dean Park. Juneteenth Day was canceled due to the Pandemic last year but will again be celebrated June 4, 2022 at Dean Park. Janice also helps to register and educate voters. She and her sister Gwendolyn Eichelberger register voters at all the high schools in Winston County yearly.
Fourth crown that Janice wears is with the Winston County Branch NAACP as Chairperson of the “Back to School Rally. Yearly, this involves soliciting funds, shopping and planning the rally. She has worn this crown for many years. Over 400 school children received school supplies at the event in 2019. It was canceled 2020 and 2021 because of the Pandemic. Also, many youth get to show their talent. She serves as the Chairperson of the Education Committee of the NAACP which pulls together many parents for the purpose of educating them as to how to access the school system and to encourage their participation in their children’s education via PTA. Also, she is a member of the Women of the NAACP (WIN). This group supports the branch in many ways, i.e., raising funds for the Back to School Rally in past years by sponsoring a hat fashion show titled CROWNS, the Black Extravaganza (a black tie event), hosting events sponsored by the branch.
Fifth crown, her passion since her retirement as an educator, was as a volunteer teacher at the Boys and Girls Club of Winston County. Unfortunately, it is now closed due to lack of financial support. Janice showed up faithfully to tutor during the Power Hour. She was one of the members on the Steering Committee of the Boys and Girls Club and became the secretary of the Board of Directors.
Sixth crown, that she wears is as a member of the Friends of Dean Park, Inc. (FODP), whose mission is to help renovate, beautify and to help provide programs for the park. The Diabetes Coalition donated $3,000 to the FODP Playground Campaign. Janice followed through with the $ 3,000. project until the equipment was delivered to the park in November 2010. She and her husband, Tommy, participate in the quarterly Beautification Days at Dean Park.
Seventh crown, active member of the Retired Teachers Association.
Eight crown that she wears is as an active member of Winston County Self-Help Coalition. She participates in all of its major events. Before they were off to college, she took her grandchildren and Mt. Sinai 4-H Club members to many of the events. This organization helps small farmers and cattlemen succeed.
Ninth crown that she wears is as a member of Mt. Sinai MB Church. Janice visits the sick and shut-in regularly as a member of the Home Mission Society. She is also the teacher of the society which meets twice monthly.
Tenth crown that she wore was helping to care for her mother who passed at 99 years of age in 1918 - Betsy Ann Eichelberger. She had 9 siblings in Louisville: Claudell Weaver (deceased), Elmetra Patterson, Mattie Davis, Samuel (deceased), Paul, Gwendolyn, and Clifford Eichelberger. One sibling lives in Baton Rouge LA Clifton Eichelberger who helped when he came to visit and another lived in Mineral Wells, Texas who is now deceased. Regardless of the above crowns that she wears, she took her turn in spending the night with her mother, preparing meals for her mother, providing companionship to her mother and taking her mother for practically all of her medical appointments. She has older siblings who lived in California who helped in other ways.
The person that wears all of the above crowns with a sweet quiet gently spirit is my sister, Janice Eichelberger Hopkins. She is one of the greatest models that i know in any crown fashion show. She is a great role model for many women, men and children. She actually loves hats and has quite a collection of them as gifts from all over the world. She deserves to be acknowledged and crowned in 2022 as we celebrate the achievements of women.
