Molly Meisenheimer

A 1976 graduate of The University of Mississippi, Molly Webb Meisenheimer spent more than a decade as a public school art teacher. However, community service has always been close to her heart, with Meisenheimer involved in numerous projects throughout the years.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 at the age of 35, Meisenheimer sprang into action once again to help others with breast cancer. By 1993, she founded Memphis Area Race for the Cure, which has raised more than $2.4 million since its inception and has grown from less than 1,800 participants to more than 13,500 in 2000. She also founded the Memphis PRO (Pink Ribbon Open), a one-day, pro-am event featuring LPGA touring professionals. Held annually, the PRO has raised more than $1 million since 1995 all for helping breast cancer education, awareness and screening in the Memphis community. In addition, Meisenheimer is co-founder along with her husband, Ed, also an Ole Miss graduate, of an all- male support group dedicated to helping support breast cancer awareness in the workplace.

Also dealing with breast cancer, Meisenheimer was instrumental in developing local support services in West Tennessee for patients and their families. She worked as a mentor for other cities, including New Orleans; Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, Fla.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Indianapolis; Louisville, Ky.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; and Tupelo, MS. She developed and wrote a local education resource guide for breast cancer and continues to volunteer as a patient advocate for area doctors. Meisenheimer testified before U.S. Congress on the need for mammography screening, as well as lobbied in Washington for the cause. 

In 1996, the Molly Meisenheimer Training Facility, which teaches breast physicians, surgeons and technicians, opened in Memphis in the Mroz-Baier Breast Care Clinic. Meisenheimer has received numerous awards and honors for her volunteer work in the field of breast cancer, including Citizen of the Year, Communicator of the Year, Hometown Hero and one of eight Women Who Made a Difference.  She was named the recipient of the prestigious Athena Award.  A community volunteer and activist, Meisenheimer is well-known as a speaker on women’s health issues and inspirational messages. Serving as the first chair of the Baptist Women's Hospital Advisory Board, Meisenheimer continues her service to local healthcare activities as a member of the Community Cancer Advisory Board with Baptist Hospital North Mississippi.  Meisenheimer works closely with the Women’s Council Scholars as director of the Ole Miss Women’s Council’s Leadership - Mentorship Program.  She has two sons, Drew and Tyler, both Ole Miss graduates. She has been married to her husband Ed, also a 1976 Ole Miss graduate, for over 31 years.  Meisenheimer also organized the Meisenheimer family to give the first Women's Council Scholarship named after her sister-in-law, Sarah Meisenheimer.