Cheri Barry
Encyclopedia
Cheri Merritt Barry is currently the mayor of Meridian, Mississippi. She is the first woman to hold that position.
, where she was a graduate of Lamar High School
in 1973. She continued her education at the University of Mississippi
, where she graduated in 1977.
Shortly after graduation, she married Rick Barry, who is currently a County Attorney. They have three children, Jennifer Barry Fowler, Jay Barry and Merritt Barry.
Cheri Barry has spent a good part of her professional career in public service. It began with the Lafayette County
welfare system, where her focus was on children and geriatric abuse victims. She later worked with the Lauderdale County
Welfare Department.
From 1998 to 2001, Barry taught in the Meridian
Public Schools system. She then served as the Executive Director of the American Red Cross Key Chapter from 2001 until her election as mayor. The American Red Cross Key Chapter serves Clarke
, Kemper
, Lauderdale
, Neshoba
, Newton
and Scott
Counties in Mississippi
.
Barry narrowly defeated Democratic
challenger Percy Bland to become the first female mayor of Meridian, Mississippi
. She won by a margin of only 293 votes.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2009, shortly after her first City Council meeting, Barry vowed to make good on a campaign promise to have the community more involved in the governing process. "What I want to do is involve this community and give ownership back to the residents of Meridian," she said. "I want their input. I want their ideas."
The mayor receives a salary of $80,000 per year, making her the fifth highest paid city employee in Meridian
.
Biography
Cheri Merritt grew up in MeridianMeridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is the sixth largest city in the state and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, where she was a graduate of Lamar High School
Lamar High School (Meridian, Mississippi)
-Notable alumni:...
in 1973. She continued her education at the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, where she graduated in 1977.
Shortly after graduation, she married Rick Barry, who is currently a County Attorney. They have three children, Jennifer Barry Fowler, Jay Barry and Merritt Barry.
Cheri Barry has spent a good part of her professional career in public service. It began with the Lafayette County
Lafayette County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,744 people, 14,373 households, and 8,321 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile . There were 16,587 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
welfare system, where her focus was on children and geriatric abuse victims. She later worked with the Lauderdale County
Lauderdale County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 78,161 people, 29,990 households, and 20,573 families residing in the county. The population density was 111 people per square mile . There were 33,418 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile...
Welfare Department.
From 1998 to 2001, Barry taught in the Meridian
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is the sixth largest city in the state and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area...
Public Schools system. She then served as the Executive Director of the American Red Cross Key Chapter from 2001 until her election as mayor. The American Red Cross Key Chapter serves Clarke
Clarke County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,955 people, 6,978 households, and 5,024 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile . There were 8,100 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, Kemper
Kemper County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,453 people, 3,909 households, and 2,787 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile...
, Lauderdale
Lauderdale County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 78,161 people, 29,990 households, and 20,573 families residing in the county. The population density was 111 people per square mile . There were 33,418 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile...
, Neshoba
Neshoba County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,684 people, 10,694 households, and 7,742 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 11,980 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
, Newton
Newton County, Mississippi
-History:Newton County was formed in 1836. All sources say it was named in honor of Sir Isaac Newton, including the 1896 history of Newton County.Newton County is adjacent to Jasper County, which was named for Sgt. William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero of the Siege of Savannah in 1779. Sgt. John...
and Scott
Scott County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,423 people, 10,183 households, and 7,535 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 11,116 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
Counties in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
.
Barry narrowly defeated Democratic
Democratic Party of the State of Mississippi
The Democratic Party of the State of Mississippi is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Mississippi. Its headquarters is located in Jackson which is also the state capitol....
challenger Percy Bland to become the first female mayor of Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is the sixth largest city in the state and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area...
. She won by a margin of only 293 votes.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2009, shortly after her first City Council meeting, Barry vowed to make good on a campaign promise to have the community more involved in the governing process. "What I want to do is involve this community and give ownership back to the residents of Meridian," she said. "I want their input. I want their ideas."
The mayor receives a salary of $80,000 per year, making her the fifth highest paid city employee in Meridian
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is the sixth largest city in the state and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area...
.