James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison - The Magazine of James Madison University - Spring 08 - Index

JMU welcomed Patricia southall smith (’92) with open arms in
1988 and gave her a chance to pursue her dreams. now almost
20 years later, smith is helping others to fulfill their dreams.
smith is married to former pro football star emmitt smith
and plays an active role in the Pat and emmitt smith Charities,
which supports academic, physical and cultural opportunities
for disadvantaged children across the country.
“We focus on providing opportunities for disadvantaged
youth,” smith says. “We are really interested in giving them exposure
to things they wouldn’t otherwise have exposure to, whether
it’s in education, the arts, technology — it’s just wide open.”
Last year, Pat and emmitt sent a group of children to visit the
new York stock exchange. “This one child always had the desire
to bring friends to the n.Y. stock exchange, and since the sept.
11 tragedy there just were not a lot of tours because of security
reasons,” smith explains. “Fortunately, emmitt was able to call
on a resource and make the trip happen for these children.”
shortly after emmitt’s appearance on aBC’s Dancing with the
Stars, the couple hosted a fundraiser in dallas. “Basically, it was
our charity’s kickoff,” explains Pat. “although the charity had
been around for a while, last year emmitt changed the name to
the Pat and emmitt smith Charities, which meant a lot to me.”
The smiths auctioned off a dinner with emmitt and Cheryl
Burke, emmitt’s dancing partner from the TV show. “That
auction brought in $100,000 and, along with other donations,
the night turned out to be a huge success,” says smith. “it was
amazing that in one night we raised over $100,000. i feel that it
is so important to use your celebrity to do good for people — in
this case, to benefit kids. it’s a blessing.”
Her passion to help others extends beyond their charity. For
the past 10 years, smith has been involved with The Family
Place, a transitional housing facility for battered women and
children in dallas. “i have a heart for women who have been
battered, because i’ve had experiences in my past that unfortunately
have put me in that membership of people.”
smith is also passionate in the fight for a cure for breast
cancer, which struck close to home during her freshman year.
Within her first month at school, smith found out that her
mother had breast cancer. “My mom’s dream and goal was
to see me graduate, and fortunately she did before she passed
away.” smith’s desire to get more involved in the fight for the
cure may soon come to fruition. The susan B. Komen Foundation
recently asked her to be an ambassador. “i am honored that
30 Madison Magazine
Pat (’92) and Emmitt Smith ‘pay it
forward’ to help disadvantaged youth
By HALI cHIET (’07)
BeautifuL CharitY
i was asked, and i’m definitely interested.”
Besides philanthropic work, smith is currently working
toward hosting a regional TV show. she brings a wealth of experience
in front of the camera; she has appeared on shows like
Beverly Hills 90210, The Wayans Brothers and Sunset Beach.
smith also spent time in the spotlight as runner-up in the
1993 Miss Usa Pageant and was the first-ever african-american
Miss Virginia, Usa. “it was really special to finally break
that barrier and, hopefully, inspire other african-american
women to go out and try pageants.” smith looks back on her
pageant experience as a chance to grow. “a lot of it’s about your
intellect — how you speak and carry yourself — and it’s also
about fitness and wellness, so i had a chance to really focus and
hone in on these things. … My current agent found me during
the Miss Usa Pageant. Being in Miss Usa literally launched
my broadcasting and acting career.”
smith’s aspirations to help and inspire others may soon
extend to the Madison community. she has been working to
establish a scholarship fund for prospective students, specifically
for those who live in her native Tidewater area. “My four years
at JMU were some of the best years of my life, and i want to see
others have that experience.”
smith made the most of her Madison experience. she was
involved with the student government association her freshman
year and served as sga president her senior year. “JMU
provided a nurturing environment that really gave me the
chance to grow as a leader,” she says. smith was a member of
the delta sigma Theta sorority and was Miss Madison her
junior year. she looks back fondly on her college years in what
she remembers as an “intimate and warm” community. “it was
a really special time for me that i’ll never forget. i felt like there
was nothing i could not conquer or achieve.”
Currently, smith is focused on her family life, raising four children
whose ages range from 3 to 11. “god has put me in a place
to be a supportive wife and mom, but i’m also able to help in our
charitable efforts and do some work every now and then.”
Life is a juggling act, yet smith balances it all. “i try to make
sure i take time for myself every now and then. of course my
faith helps keep me grounded, and i’m focused on what’s important
so that i don’t get caught up in a lot of other things. … i
have to say that, overall, my goal is to touch people in a unique
and special way. That may come through in a ministry, in hosting
a TV show — i’m open to whatever comes my way.” M