Tournament officials at the Sanderson Farms Championship are excited to announce that the fourth annual Women’s Day luncheon presented by International Paper, will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at The Country Club of Jackson. This year’s featured speaker is four-time 2008 Olympic medalist, NY Times best-selling author, and media personality, Shawn Johnson.
“We are grateful to have International Paper return as presenting sponsor for our fourth Women’s Day,” said Steve Jent, the tournament’s executive director. “We truly value their generosity as it allows us to provide an exceptional experience for our attendees.”
“At International Paper, women represent an essential component of our business groups, facilities, and communities,” said Quinn Thompson, Director, Diversity and Talent Acquisition. “We thank our female employees for their insight, unique perspective, and contributions. International Paper is proud to return as Presenting Sponsor of the Sanderson Farms Championship Women’s Day Luncheon.”
At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide witnessed the then 16-year-old Johnson as she won four Olympic medals, including a gold for the balance beam.
2009 was a busy year for Johnson as her first book, Shawn Johnson, Olympic Champion-Stories Behind the Smile, was published. She was also named the 79th Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Sullivan Award recipient, one of the country’s most prestigious honors in amateur sports. And, at the age of 17, she became the youngest ever contestant, and won ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Shawn was so popular with the audience that in 2012 she was invited back for “Dancing with the Stars: All Stars” where she again made it to the finale.
In June of 2012, Johnson’s second book Winning Balance: What I’ve Learned So Far About Love, Faith and Living Your Dreams, was published and quickly became a New York Times Best Seller. In 2014, Johnson launched TheBodyDepartment.com, a site dedicated to offering an outlet where people can talk about body image, wellness, and fitness in a healthy way.
Johnson, now 24, is involved in a number of philanthropic activities such as working with animal and children’s charities, working with cancer charities, particularly those that affect women and children, and is a strong advocate of health and wellness initiatives.
For more information regarding table purchases, please call the Championship office at (601) 898-4653 or email Erin Johnson at erin@sandersonfarmschampionship.com.
About International Paper
International Paper is a global leader in the packaging and paper industry and supplies a wide range of products that people rely on every day. The company produces uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging. Through xpedx, its North American distribution business, the company also offers printing, packaging, graphic arts, and maintenance and industrial products.
About The Sanderson Farms Championship
The Sanderson Farms Championship is an annual stop on the PGA TOUR hosted by Century Club Charities, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the game of golf for the benefit of charity. The tournament’s primary beneficiary is Friends of Children’s Hospital. The tournament has been part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1968 and is now in its seventh year as a part of the FedExCup. Sanderson Farms (NASDAQ:SAFM), the nation’s third largest poultry producer based in Laurel, Miss., is the title sponsor.
About Sanderson Farms
Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Employing more than 14,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 13 different cities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to adopting a fresh approach in everything they do, not only where products are concerned, but company-wide as well. Though the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same hometown values of honesty, integrity, and innovation that was established when the Sanderson family founded the company in 1947.
