Pat Fordice

Whereas, Pat Fordice is a good Southern lady. In the documentary “Belles and Whistles” screened at the 2002 Crossroads Film Festival, former first lady Fordice says
her youngest son told her that her wings had been clipped for too long and now—presumably
meaning post-philandering husband/governor—she could soar. She then looked
straight at the camera and said, “I intend to soar.” The packed audience
at New Stage hollered and gave her a standing ovation. I can’t remember being
prouder to be a Southern woman.

Now, every time I see the Jackson native on TV in her hot pink suit and taupe
pumps, stopping those litterbugs in their tracks for MDOT’s sassy “I’m
not your mama” anti-litter campaign, I think, “Wow. That lady can do
anything.” And, yes, those are her legs, not a double’s. Move over, Tina
Turner.

Seated in her beautiful and comfortable living room in Madison, Mrs. Fordice
told me she had insisted on not having a double and on picking out her own wardrobe
for the public-service spot. “I would rather stand in front of that truck”—she
pointed outside—”than wear something that somebody else picked out
for me that I might not like. Is that vanity or what?” she said, laughing.
I told her she sounded like a good Southern woman, that’s all. She continued, “I
told them, ‘No, I’ll wear my own clothes, and I’ll stand there. I know they’re
not going to hurt me.’ ” Thus, Mrs. Fordice accomplished what she called
a labor of love: telling Mississippians to stop littering up our state.

This 68-year-old who has one daughter, three sons, and four “absolutely
perfect in-laws,” is the grandmother of two boys and 10 girls. Her blue
eyes glow and a delighted smile appears as she explains how blessed they are
to be Christian families full of love and good health. She wants her grandchildren
to emulate her by becoming involved volunteers themselves and continuing to work
toward a more positive Mississippi.

Mrs. Fordice is a good choice to tweak the state’s consciousness. In 1999,
the state House and Senate adopted a concurrent resolution calling Patricia Owens
Fordice “a source of unequivocal pride to our state.” They praised
her for promoting the arts (including bringing the St. Petersburg exhibit to
the city), literacy, health, volunteerism and strong families—as well as
for parachuting with the Army.

“
Belles and Whistles” captured Mrs. Fordice’s daring jump out of an
airplane with the United States Army’s Golden Knights parachute team. When I
visited her, she told me that it was one of her biggest thrills ever. Her ex-husband
and one son had been paratroopers, and finally she got her turn to feel the thrill. “I
got to the door of that plane and never hesitated. I just stepped right out,” she
said.

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