William Winter is more than a friend to Mississippi. The former governor embodies everything good and hopeful about our state.

He exceptional work and advocacy on behalf of racial reconciliation and education in the name of opportunity for all people is well-documented. In his early 90s, Winter’s work continues, remarkably, and the Winter Institute at Ole Miss helps carry the mission forward.

That’s why we are thrilled that former Gov. Winter was honored with the Freedom Award by the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

No Mississippian and few in the country deserved the recognition as much as Winter. Best known for his role in leading the charge for publicly funded primary education while serving as the 58th governor of Mississippi from 1980-1984, Winter has been a leader for the state for decades as a wise, guiding hand connected to a caring heart.

With family in Oxford and the Winter Institute at Ole Miss, we have long considered former Gov. Winter one of ours.

No Mississippi leader has been more impacting. And no leader is more deserving. We congratulate former Gov. William Winter, our neighbor and friend, and give thanks for his service.