Page 134 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2026

story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Women of Wisdom
Women of Wisdom (WOW) is all about women helping
luncheons.”
women. Robin Killeen led a meeting with a group of local
However, WOW is more than luncheons. The group comes
influential women to determine what Women of Wisdom should
together to form a network and offer ministries including the
look like based on the needs of women in the community, and
Care Closet and F.I.T. L.I.F.E.
the organization was started in 1999.
Jill Compton is in charge of the Care Closet that offers donated
“Our main goals were, and still are, love, connection, service,
clothes, shoes and purses for women of all ages and situations.
and prayer,” Killeen says. “We started hosting monthly
Open Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment, the Care Closet
luncheons to build strong and authentic relationships and
also offers Transformation Tuesdays on the third Tuesday of the
sisterhood. We are not a national organization; we are a local
month from 12 to 5 p.m. when appointments are not needed.
ministry.”
Stressing that the project is for all women, she said the same
Her background of 22 years in the staffing industry where
women who donate may come in to choose items.
people were her number one priority fueled her passion for
“I really enjoy working with young people who are just starting
WOW and that priority remains the same.
careers or making changes,” Compton said. “When they leave,
There are no meetings but rather monthly luncheons on the
they will look organized, presentable, classic and chic. It may be
second Wednesday of each month at the Knight Nonprofit
single moms going through a divorce or retired women looking
Center in the Regions Room at 11:45 to 1 pm. “We offer a
for casual clothes. We show them how to coordinate and how to
delicious catered lunch for a donation of $14 cash or card
have many outfits with simple additions such as a scarf.”
or they can simply attend the meeting for free and enjoy
Care Closet also works with established non-profits and has
our program, dessert station, and drinks. Our luncheons are
a time for them to come in and choose clothes for clients. The
empowering, encouraging, and educating,” she said. “We
inventory keeps a lot of business professional and business casual
have grown over the past 27 years, from 15 attending lunch
clothes.
in September 1999 to over 100 in attendance today at our
“It’s all about women blessing women and we pray with them,”
134 | September 2026 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living