ANDERSON — Misty Nickson nominated her lifelong mentor, Josephine Wright, for Person of the Year.

“I nominated her because she is one of the only women I know who could raise eight boys, work full-time for General Motors, go to church full-time and still go to school and get her bachelor’s degree,” Nickson said.

Wright, 55, retired from GM in 2003 but still works as pastor of Grace Temple Apostolic Church at Ninth Street and Madison Avenue. Through the church, she helped run a daycare and a food pantry, taught Sunday school classes and participated in regular mission trips to the Dominican Republic.

“The woman just doesn’t stop,” said Nickson, who first met Wright 25 years ago. Nickson eventually became a part of Wright’s extended family as one of the many teenagers who would spend time at the Wrights’ home and later as the mother to one of Wright’s seven grandchildren.

Wright’s husband of 36 years, Jerry Wright, is senior pastor of Greater Grace Temple.

“Not only is she a good mother, but she’s a good friend,” Nickson said. “You can call her at any time of night, and she’s there to listen.”

Born in Alabama, Wright moved to Anderson in 1968. She is a graduate of Anderson High School and holds two theology degrees, an associate’s degree from Anon Bible College in Indianapolis and a bachelor’s degree from Calvary Midwest Bible College in Columbus, Ind.

She was featured in “Who’s Who in Religion” in 2006 and worked in with the Madison County Healthy Marriage Initiative, hosting several marriage retreats.

She has been with Grace Temple church since 1997.

Along with reading and teaching, Wright said she enjoys walking outdoors, going five miles on most days. In January, she made her 10th trip to the Dominican Republic to work with medical teams and help build churches.

Wright said her time there has been some of the most rewarding work she’s done.

“Souls have been saved, and lives have been changed,” she said.