Her Science, Her Story: Honoring Fannye Cook

Celebrate the legacy - and birthday - of museum founder Fannye Cook, Mississippi’s trailblazing conservationist and a force behind the creation of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks!

Experience a special living history performance by Cathy Shropshire, who has portrayed Fannye Cook since 2009. A retired biologist and former Executive Director of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, Cathy brings deep insight and heart to her role as Cook, whom she discovered during her career with MDWFP.

• Explore a gallery display honoring Fannye Cook’s pioneering conservation work and the founding of the MDWFP.
• Meet STEM Specialists and students sharing their passion for today's natural science research.
• Celebrate Fannye Cook’s legacy, her birthday, and the future of natural science in Mississippi!

Included with Museum admission or MMNSF Membership.

STEM CAREERS

Is your child interested in STEM careers? Check out this fun page for free resources.

ABOUT CATHY SHROPSHIRE

Cathy retired from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks in 2001 after 26 years working in the Game Division and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

From 2001 to 2012 Cathy served as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. Following retirement from the Federation, Cathy volunteered for the Wildlife Federation and served on the board of the Clinton Community Nature Center.

It was while she was at the Museum that Cathy learned about Miss Cook’s work and her enormous contributions to conservation in Mississippi. Cathy first appeared as Miss Cook in 2009 in the Mississippi Public Broadcasting feature, "The Gulf Islands: Mississippi’s Wilderness Shore". 

Today Cathy is the theatrical incarnation of Fannye Cook. She is the creator, writer, and costume designer of “Pursuing a Dream – Protecting Mississippi’s Natural Resources.” She has performed as Miss Cook in venues throughout Mississippi. Many of those performances were associated with book signings for Miss Cook’s biography Fannye Cook: Mississippi’s Pioneering Conservationist.

Cathy Shropshire

Cathy Shropshire, as Fannye Cook, with Museum visitors

Fannye Cooke

Cathy Shropshire as Fannye Cook