Pi Beta Phi - University of Mississippi

The MS Beta Post PAGE 2 When we are young, we are told—encouraged even— to follow a path that we are fulfilled with and passionate about. Regardless of how much time passes, Honea "Honey" Henderson Owens '95 continually seeks to follow that advice. There are several phases of Honey's journey, such as spending her youth in East Texas, joining the Pi Phi sisterhood and working as a mental health therapist. Along the way, Honey has been inspired to give back to the communities that have served her well. Earning a master's degree in social work in May 2020, Honey finds herself in a place where she can make a difference in the lives around her. Whether she's assisting a client, memorializing a fallen sister or contributing to her family's foundation, she has the opportunity to shine a positive light. "Something I find myself most proud of is fulfilling my dream of going back to school in my forties to become a mental health therapist," Honey says. Since becoming a therapist, Honey has faced eye-opening experiences that altered her perspective as a woman and blazed an even brighter path ahead. "I worked at an organization in Dallas for two years that helps women who have been human trafficked or sexually exploited," she shared. "Working with women of color or women on the lower socioeconomic scale who are dealing with the legal system encouraged me to pursue the designation of Licensed Clinical Social Worker, which will allow me to open my own practice in the future." In addition to opening her own practice, Honey has also considered obtaining a Ph.D. Most of all, Honey looks forward to creating societal change, which goes back to her Pi Phi experiences. "It all goes back to my Pi Phi days where I had sisters who helped take care of me at times when my life could have gone in any direction. These beautiful, amazing women guided me, and I hope to do the same for women who may not have that support." Sorority sisters made an impact on Honey's life through their words of advice, their uplifting spirits and their warm hugs. She is proud to contribute to the Always True to the Wine and Blue: 60 Years of Mississippi Beta Tradition campaign to help secure the future of Pi Phi so the next generation of women have opportunities to learn from one another, inspire one another and grow with one another. "I'm continuing to look for ways that I can personally help sisters," Honey shared. "We have had some sisters from my pledge class pass away, so other sisters and I plan to honor the memories of the women we have lost." While Honey's path and passions were encouraged in Pi Phi, her innate desire to give back began in her hometown of Lufkin, Texas, where the paternal side of her family is renowned for their contributions to the community. "My family was one of the founding families in Lufkin, and they wanted to provide a way to ensure a fruitful future for community members by creating the Simon and Louise Henderson Foundation," Honey explained. While bearing in mind the underlying principle of the foundation and giving back to the community where they have received so much, Honey and her family feel blessed to make a difference in any way they can. "My grandmother and grandfather would always say, 'To those whom much is given, much is expected.' So, they have always lived by that; in turn, that ideology has been ingrained in me for more than 30 years. Witnessing the altruistic attributes of my family growing up, I was always moved to do the same to the communities I have had the honor of being in." Above, from left: Honey Henderson Owens '95, Carrie Westbrook Smith '94, Paige Gillam '96, and Nancy Jane Otto McMillan '95 together for a reunion in December 2021. To Those Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected Honea "Honey" Henderson Owens Gives Back to the Communities That Influenced Her Life

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