Betty Shields James named Humanitarian of the Year by the Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Betty Shields James has been named the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year. She received the award from the Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club on Saturday during its 50th anniversary ceremony at the Vicksburg Convention Center. The award is presented each year during the Homecoming activities to an individual or business that has made outstanding contributions toward the betterment of youth and adults in the Vicksburg community.

James is the fifth of nine children born to the late civil rights activist Rosa Lee Shields. She attended Cooper High School.

A faithful member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church for more than 20 years, James served as a board member of the Mountain of Faith Women and Children’s Shelter for a decade before being elected director in 2018.

Since taking on that role, James has helped more than 500 women and their children find shelter and stability. Her commitment includes responding to emergencies at all hours and guiding residents through applications for medical and dental services, Social Security and disability benefits, food stamps, and employment.

She also makes sure the women’s spiritual needs are met by hosting daily Bible studies and ensuring attendance at church on Sundays.

James’ dedication has increased awareness of the shelter’s mission across the community. Local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha sororities have each adopted a bedroom at the shelter, providing toiletries, linens, cleaning supplies, and meals during holidays. They also volunteer their time and resources as needed.

James participates in the annual Christmas backpack giveaway for children ages 2 to 16, an event supported by several churches throughout the Vicksburg area. Many recipients are children whose mothers are staying at the shelter.

James retired in 2015 after 37 years of service at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where she worked as a valued member of the Equal Employment Opportunity staff at the Vicksburg District Office. She received numerous awards for her dedicated service.

One of her lasting contributions was the launch of the Black History Poster Contest for elementary and high school students, which began with 50 entries and grew to more than 1,500 by the time of her retirement. Winners received government bonds, trophies, and ribbons, and were honored at a reception held at the district office.

In her spare time, James has also served as a wedding and event planner for more than 40 years, coordinating over 200 weddings and numerous celebrations. She has organized her family reunions for over three decades and is well known for her love of cooking and dancing.