Jackson Free Press

Starting May 4, Women Build—Habitat for Humanity's program for women who want to learn construction skills and build homes and communities—will bring together women from all walks of life to build a home for Lakeshia White, her two children and the children's grandmother. As chairwoman of Women Build 2013, Maura Phillips is one of the women spearheading this project.

Phillips is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and she works in the mortgage industry for a company called Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp. One of Phillips' goals has long been to ensure that anyone could afford to own a home.

"I have worked in affordable housing for my whole career," Phillips said. "It's a passion I've always had, and one that fits in perfectly with Habitat's mission."

A Jackson resident since 1987, Phillips grew up in Zachary, La., and attended Filliman High School in Clinton, La. She attended Mississippi State University, where she majored in business. Phillips started in the mortgage industry straight out of college, working on affordable housing programs at Fannie Mae in Mississippi. Her work on affordable housing programs eventually led her to Habitat for Humanity.

"I've been working with Habitat for over 10 years, specifically with Women Build," Phillips said. "It's been amazing to see how having a Habitat home can change someone's life and the path they are on. The vast majority of women doing this are doing it for their children, to give them a better life. On top of that, the sweat equity required for Habitat houses means (the women in the program) help each other work on their houses, so they develop a sense of community, and it becomes a real neighborhood."

Phillips, 51, has two daughters—Katie, 21, and Bekka, 19—who are both attending Mississippi State.

Women Build needs $70,000 to cover costs and 500 volunteers for the period between May 4 and June 9 when the building will take place. To help obtain the needed funds and volunteers for the project, Phyllis Geary, owner of View Gallery (1107 Highland Colony Parkway, 601-856-2001), is opening her gallery for the Women Build 2013 steering committee to host a wine and cheese fundraiser April 25 from 5-7 p.m. The fundraiser will feature a wide variety of art for sale, much of it made by women. View Gallery will contribute 10 percent of all art sales to Women Build. Attendees of the free event are also welcome to donate or volunteer for the house-building project.

"I encourage women to come out and help us on May 4 to kick off the build," Phillips said. "To tie this in with Mother's Day, we are especially trying to get mother and daughter teams out there on May 4 and May 11."

For information about opportunities for Women's Build 2013 sponsorships, donations and volunteering, please call Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson at 601-353-6060, or visit www.habitatjackson.org.