Awards & Scholarships

A Message from the President

Dorothy M. Leger

Greetings, I am truly honored to serve as President of the Women’s Commission of SWLA, Inc. As we prepare to Celebrate 35 years of Excellence, our organization stands proudly for hosting one of the largest one-day conferences that has empowered and enhanced the status of women living in Southwest Louisiana, for the past 34 years. Our 2024 Women’s Fall Conference was a huge Success! We are grateful for the overwhelming support from the community, sponsors, and marketplace vendors.

The Women’s Commission proudly awards four scholarships annually to non-traditional female students enrolled to complete their degrees at both McNeese State University and Sowela Technical Community College.

The Jack V. Doland Citizen of the Year award is presented each year at the annual fall conference to a woman who is actively involved in the community, for her humanitarian efforts, volunteer services and contributions. We also proudly make a $1000 donation each year to the recipient’s charity of choice.

The Women’s Fall Conference will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Lake Charles Event Center. During our luncheon, our dynamic Keynote Speaker will “Empower, Encourage and Up Lift” everyone in attendance. Workshops will be offered throughout the day, and our Marketplace will host a variety of vendors for your shopping pleasure, and many opportunities for networking and socializing.

Please plan to join us on Thursday, October 16th at the 2025 Women’s Fall Conference.

2025 Executive Board

Our 2025 Commissioners

Welcome to our New Commissioners!

Active Members

Advisory Members

Emeritus Members

Lifetime Members

Our Heritage

Past Presidents

1989 Penny Houston

1990 Lisa Ferguson

1991 Daphne Saxby Oliver

1992 Waiva Reigel

1993 Dr. Harriet Green

1994 Carole Blair

1995 Anne Chitty

1996 De Ann Derbonne

1997 Beverly Gradney St. Mary

1998 Sattaria “Tari” Dilks

1999 Karen Barrington

2000 Linda LeBert-Corbello

2001 Carol Machado Henry

2002 Cindy Morrissey

2004 Betty Harlow Anderson

2005 Karen Drewett

2006 Betty Harlow Anderson

2007 Melisa McMillian Adrian

2008 Melisa McMillian Adrian

2009 Pamela Stracener Golding

2010 Angela Worley Pierson

2011 Fran Clophus

2012 Debbie Boudreaux

2013 Debra Lastrapes

2014 Sue Conn

2015 Krystle Johnson

2016 Krystle Johnson

2017 Tammy Thibodeaux

2018 Tammy Thibodeaux

2019 Cynthia Tomlinson

2020 Kathy Sonnier

2021 Kathy Sonnier

2022 Carol Henry

2023 Velika Hurst-Trahan

2024 Cynthia Roy

Our Vice President /
Fall conference Chairpersons

1990 Lisa Fergusen

1991 Wava Reigel

1992 Dr. Harriet Green

1993 Carole Blair

1994 Anne Chitty

1995 De Ann Derbonne

1996 Beverly St. Mary

1997 Sattaria Dilks

1998 Karen Barrington

1999 Erica Toatley

2000 Carol Henry

2001 Cindy Morrissey

2002 Debbie Acuff

2004 Karen Drewett

2005 Melisa McMillian Adrian

2006 Melisa McMillian Adrian

2007 Melonie Himel

2008 Pamela Stracener Golding

2009 Angela Guth

2010 Franyora Clophus

2011 Debra Lastrapes

2012 Debbie Boudreaux

2013 Sue Conn

2014 Krystle Johnson

2015 Dena Everage

2016 Tammy Thibodeaux

2017 Selena Cisneros

2018 Cynthia Tomlinson

2019 Kathy Sonnier

2020 Carol Henry

2021 Carol Henry 

2022 Velika Hurst-Trahan

2023 Cynthia Roy

2024 Dorothy M Leger