Georgia Ann Benard Hall represented excellence in all aspects of her life. Born to a family of 27 children, she grew up in abject poverty – but never compromised her integrity and her own search for excellence at any point along the way. She married, raised three children and always worked hard to assure they had whatever they needed. She took great pride in the fact that she never accessed the public welfare system to meet her children’s needs – but worked for everything she received. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Georgia was focused, good-humored, honest, hard-working, and faithful to her God. She never once complained over her lot in life – rather, she celebrated the fact that she was alive, married to a fine man, employed and loved by all who knew her. Her heart was golden. Dr. Peggy O. Hewlett has established the Georgia Ann Benard Hall Award for Excellence through the Mississippi Nurses Foundation in honor and memory of this dear friend. Family, friends and colleagues have generously contributed to this fund which will award a $2,000 scholarship every year to a Mississippi nursing student in conjunction with their school of nursing. “Georgia Hall was my close personal friend for over 18 years and she died too young at the age of 50. She has my undying love and respect for a life well-lived – a true role model for all young men and women who have made achievements they attribute to someone in their lives who represents excellence in spite of life’s circumstances.” - Dr. Peggy O. Hewlett.

Award Process:

• This $2000 scholarship is given in honor of Georgia Ann Benard Hall to a Mississippi nursing student every year.
  Opens September 1st

• Currently enrolled and in good academic standing in a Mississippi university BSN program at the junior or senior level;

• African American student;

• Member of the Mississippi Students Nurses Association;