NATCHEZ — Sixty-eight reasons why the Miss-Lou is a great place to live gathered around tables in the Natchez Convention Center Thursday.

At the sixth-annual Caring Women celebration luncheon, 68 women were honored for their service to the community in six different categories. The women are nominated by their peers, and the Caring Women are chosen by a selection committee.

Six women, one from each of the categories of nominees, were chosen as Caring Women for 2014 at the luncheon, sponsored by Natchez Community Hospital and First Natchez Radio Group.

Sue Stedman, NCH board member and emcee for the luncheon, said all the Caring Women nominees make a difference in lives every day.

“If you want to know why the Miss-Lou is such a great place to live, all you have to do is look around this room,” she said.

In the Leader category, Stephanie Hutchins was chosen as a Caring Woman. Hutchins, vice president of public affairs for Southwest Distributors, has served as chairwoman of the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce and has served on many boards, including the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau, Keep Natchez-Adams County Beautiful, the Natchez Tree Beautification Project, Community Alliance, Mississippi Beverage Association and Kyle’s House.

Stedman said Hutchins’ nomination read “leadership by example is one of her strong traits.”

“(Hutchins) is proud to help others but never takes the credit she deserves,” Stedman said.

Teresa Busby, Lee Hinson, Bridgid Martin, Margaret Perkins, Jennifer Russ, Pam Rymer, Dorothy Sylvester, Amanda T. Taylor and Stacy Woods were also nominated in the Leader category.

Alicia Yielding was chosen as a Caring Woman for the Perseverance category. At the age of 40, Yielding was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She worked for eight years after her diagnosis, helped create a Parkinson’s support group and was in charge of the education programs for the group.

“Her positive attitude and her high spirits in the face of adversity are known to everyone who is blessed to know her,” Stedman said. “It is impossible not to admire someone who refuses to give in or give up when her body tries to fail her.”

Crystal Davis, Cindy Etheridge, Karen Ewing, Ruth Gaylor, Jan Lipscumb, Lydia Markum, Jennifer McGivaren, Suzy Ray, Janet Smith, Ramee Thompson and Ann Westmoreland were also nominated in the Perseverance category.

In the Defender category, Glenda Wilson was chosen as a Caring Woman.

Wilson has worked in the Natchez-Adams School District with special needs students, the Department of Human Services helping clients return to the workforce, the department of vocational rehabilitation directing blind clients to needed services, the Natchez Children’s Home as a weekend hose mother to abused children of all ages, as well as many other organizations.

Stedman called her a “fierce defender of anyone in need.”

Cathy Dale, Vivian Toussaint and Ann Elizabeth Kaiser were also nominated in the Defender category.

Patricia Davis was chosen as a Caring Woman in the Mentor category. Stedman said Davis received three separate nominations for the honor.

Davis has devoted her time for caring for the sick and hurting. She delivers food to the elderly and those confined to their homes and has donated her time and money to many charities.

“She may not be willing to spend money on herself for a new shirt, but she would buy an entire wardrobe for someone in need without blinking twice,” Stedman said.

Jackie Cummings, LaVeda Derden, Marilyn Gilbert, Paige Iseminger, Annette Johnson, Nancy Kennedy, Allie LaBorde, Cherie Lipsey, Donna Martello, Suzy Russ, Colleen Small, Terry Stutzman, Teli Walker and Juanita Wilson.

Sallie Junkin Ballard was chosen as a Caring Woman for the Volunteer category.

Ballard is a volunteer at St. Mary Basilica, recently retired from the Natchez City Cemetery board after 40 years of service and spearheaded the downtown crepe myrtle project.

Ballard also volunteers for the March of Dimes, the Historic Natchez Tableaux and was a founding member of the Natchez swim team.

“We are proud to honor her lifelong efforts to help people of all ages in her native city of Natchez,” Stedman said.

Patricia Anderson, Maxine Brice, Angela B. Brooks, Mildred Carter, Jennifer Combs, Letta Crocker, Meredith Faust, Alice Fletcher, Nan Garrison, Callie Godfrey, Mitzi Hendricks, Julie Kendall, Renae Loy, Evelyn Riggs, Susan Short, Carol Swindoll, Jane Vaughan and Susan Windham were also nominated in the Volunteer category.

Jarielle Gibson was chosen as the honoree for the Promise category, which recognizes a young woman, 16-21 years old, who demonstrates the potential to be a Caring Woman.

Gibson, a junior at Natchez High School, is a member of the tennis team, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council and a peer tutor. Gibson also recently debuted in Natchez Little Theatre’s production of “Southern Exposure.”

“She still manages to keep her grades up and continues to brighten the lives of her peers and instructors,” Stedman said.

Rachel Benoit, Angel N. Brooks, Rachel Buford, Natori Marshall, Kathleen Russ, Whestley Shirley and Ekeria Williams were also nominated.