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As the oldest cotton cooperative in the United States, Staplcotn credits its success to many factors. One of the most vital is its loyal and dedicated staff as evidenced by the low employee turnover experienced throughout the years. On March 31, 1999, one of Staplcotn’s most valued employees, Virginia Terry White, retired after almost twenty-three years of service.

"Virginia has always made sure that our company and its employees had our best foot forward," said Woods Eastland, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Every company needs a representative who augments the reputation of the company, and Virginia did just that."

In 1976, Mrs. White came to work for Staplcotn as an executive secretary and within three years was elected Assistant Corporate Secretary of Staplcotn and Stapldiscount. In 1984 she was also named Vice President, Communications.

Her public relations duties included editing the award-winning quarterly publication, StaplReview and the employee newsletter, Stapl at Length. Mrs. White’s honors for StaplReview have included numerous awards over the years from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) regional competition and from the Mississippi Delta Advertising Federation. At present, StaplReview is being considered by NAMA for an award on the national level, a first time honor bestowed upon Mrs. White and her publication.

Mrs. White has served on the Education Committee of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and her service to the Mississippi Council of Cooperatives and Louisiana Council of Farmer Cooperatives exemplifies her commitment to encourage agricultural cooperation. The Young Farmers Couples Conference, sponsored by the Mississippi organization, is just another way Mrs. White uses her organizational talents to benefit the cotton industry. She has demonstrated her dedication to educate top young farmers on how cooperatives can help serve their needs.

Mrs. White has served on the Executive Board of Delta Council and as a director-at-large. In 1997 she was honored as Delta Council’s "Good Middling Lady of the Year". This honor is presented to the woman who "sustains efforts on behalf of improving the livability of the people of the Delta, promotes the economic and social welfare of the Delta, and provides effective leadership and unselfish effort for the benefit of all the citizens of the Delta."

Mrs. White is a past president of Delta Cotton Wives, an organization that encourages the wearing of cotton fabric. She was also Greenwood’s first female Rotarian and is a past-president of the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce. Just this past year she was chosen by Eckerd Drugs as one of one hundred women to be commended for her volunteerism in celebration of Eckerd’s 100^th Anniversary.

Employees honored Mrs. White recently with a luncheon at the main office in Greenwood, where she was presented with a Resolution passed by the Board of Directors of Staplcotn and signed by W.A. Percy, II, Chairman.

"Virginia White has always been one of the foremost goodwill ambassadors for cotton wherever she goes. Her influence is still present even though she has moved on to other interests. Ideas that Virginia created have been copied, adapted and used throughout the entire cotton industry."

Hugh Summerville

Chairman, Cotton Incorporated

"…Virginia’s dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm will be sorely missed… Her tireless commitment to the (cotton) industry was evidenced by her excellent work on the publication, STAPLREVIEW. She was a joy to work with as she conducted all of her various duties."

Phil Bernett

Chairman, National Cotton Council