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- PO Box 6712 • Lake Charles, LA 70606
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ABOUT US
The Women's Commission of Southwest Louisiana, Inc., was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in 1990. The Commission’s overall mission is to educate, empower, and expand the status of women living in Southwest Louisiana.
Scholarships
The Women's Commission of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. is pleased to award four $1000 scholarships for non-traditional students at McNeese State University and Sowela Technical Community College.
A Message from the President
Amanda Fontenot Johnson
Greetings, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to be the 2026 President of the Women’s Commission of Southwest Louisiana. A title that I do not take lightly. This is our 36th year putting on one of the best conferences that caters to educating, empowering, and expanding the status of women.
This event would not have been possible without the support of our members, sponsors, and you, the community at large.
You are personally invited to save the date, Thursday, October 22, 2026. We can be seen throughout the community giving of ourselves to volunteer and support others. Some activities that we have supported include a citywide Adopt-A-Spot cleanup, Salvation Army Angel tree, Literacy Book Fair, Holiday Greeting cards for veterans and military serving overseas, BBBS Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Cajun Music Festival, Hot Air Balloon Show, Snacks to Water Edge, and Four Nontraditional scholarships to McNeese and Sowella, just to name a few.
A Message from our Chairperson
Angela Jouett
It is with deep gratitude and a profound sense of purpose that I serve as the 2026 Conference Chair for Women’s Commission of Southwest Louisiana. The theme this year is “Celebrating Women on the Healing of Mind, Body, and Soul”. I am truly honored by the confidence you have in me to lead this transformative gathering. The mission of this conference—to foster holistic healing across the dimensions of mind, body, and soul. The Women’s Commission resonates deeply with my professional values and personal commitment to women’s empowerment. Our goal will be to inspire you and support you to set personal goals so you can pursue passions that ignite your spirit. I look forward to collaborating with the organizing committee to create a space that is not only educational but restorative. My goal as Chair will be to ensure every participant feels seen, supported, and inspired to embark on their own journey toward wellness as well as personal success!
Thank you for this incredible opportunity to serve our community. I am eager to begin our work together.
Fall Conference
2026 Keynote Speaker
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Having been dubbed ‘The Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century’ by Sports Illustrated, Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s athletic accomplishments are literally second to none. By the conclusion of her career in the heptathlon and long jump events she had amassed six Olympic medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and four World Champion titles over four consecutive Olympic Games. Jackie was the first woman in history to earn more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon and today, over 20 years later, she still holds the world heptathlon record of 7,291 points. She continues to hold the Olympic and national records in the long jump and her 1994 performance in the long jump remains the second longest in history.
In addition to heptathlon and long jump, Jackie was a world class 100m and 200m runner and, after a decorated All-American career in basketball at UCLA, she eventually played professional basketball for a short time.
Jackie’s athletic accomplishments have been well documented and remain some of the best ever across all of sports. Less well known are her tireless efforts and remarkable accomplishments off the field as a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s education, health issues (in particular asthma from which she has suffered throughout her life), racial equality, social reform, and women’s rights.
Born in 1962 in East St. Louis, IL, Jackie came from very humble beginnings but despite very strained conditions she describes her early home life as being full of love, principle, and discipline. These ingrained values have served Jackie well both on and off the field through her life. She has been described by the sports media as one of the warmest, most even-tempered, grace-filled persons in all of athletics.
One of four children to Mary and Alfred Joyner, Jackie’s older brother Al went on to become an Olympic Champion triple jumper and married Florence Griffith (Joyner), a five time Olympic medalist. In 1986 she married her long time coach, Bob Kersee.
Jackie is the author of both A Kind of Grace (1997), her autobiography, and A Woman’s Place is Everywhere. She is an active professional speaker and is widely considered one of the most inspiring motivational speakers in all of sports. Jackie speaks on topics of athletics, business success, living with the limitations of medical issues, nutrition, women’s issue, and youth advocacy.
