Awards & Scholarships

A Message from the President

Velika Trahan

As we embarked on our 32nd year, I feel that we have truly embodied this organization that was started by a group of ladies looking to impact this community. Over the past couple of years, we have faced our share of adversities and triumphs by sharing our “Pearls of Wisdom” and then proceeded to “Rebuild and Renew” our lives. 

We have a true sense of gratitude that we must hold on to as we volunteer in all areas. We currently have a diverse group of ladies that make it easy to come together as one. I am grateful that we continue to empower women every day. I know we will persevere and continue to passionately pursue growth and partnership in our community.

I look forward to continuing our partnership with McNeese State University and SOWELA Technical Community College as we support non-traditional students by providing financial assistance as they further their education. 

I am pleased and honored to serve as the 2023 President of the Women’s Commission of Southwest Louisiana. Please make plans to join us for our Annual Conference on October 19, 2023.

2023 Executive Board

Our 2023 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

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