Contact: Sammy McDavid
Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held in Meridian Wednesday [Aug. 21] for a Habitat for Humanity home to be built solely by women.
The public program launching the Woman's Build Project begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of 5th Street and 55th Avenue. Leisha Pickering and her husband, 3rd District Rep. Chip Pickering, will be among the speakers.
During the construction, Leisha Pickering will serve as project spokesperson. She is a longstanding supporter of the Meridian Habitat effort.
For some time, representatives of Mississippi State's School of Architecture and John C. Stennis Institute of Government have been working with Fonda Rush, Meridian Habitat director, to design an energy efficient residence in the Lauderdale County seat.
Judy Phillips, a Stennis Institute research assistant who helped coordinate the effort, said the project is the outcome of a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to MSU for exploration of affordable housing designs and material usage.
"The Woman's Build Project is a residential structure that will be built completely by women," Phillips said. "Men who participate will be asked to bring covered dishes and refreshments for the workers."
Material assistance for the project is being provided by Atlas Roofing of Meridian, Perma R Products Inc. of Grenada and General Paneling Co. of Union. Mississippi Power Co. also is providing support.
Phillips said MSU architecture instructor Joe Hagerman, along with senior major David Brawner of Corinth and junior Elizabeth Lacey of Columbus, earlier surveyed the neighborhood to identify community architectural characteristics. "Their goal was to make certain the Habitat home will be compatible with the neighborhood," she added.
For more information on the groundbreaking or Woman's Build Project, telephone Phillips at (662) 325-3329; Hagerman at 325-2547; or Rush at (601) 485-4992.