Awards & Scholarships
Jack V. Doland Award
Scholarships

A Message from the President
Kathy Sonnier
Today, we celebrate a 30-year tradition that began in 1990 with a group of women who gave their time, talent, and energy to the community of Southwest Louisiana. The Women’s Commission is a non-profit, volunteer organization of women committed to developing the potential of women, promoting volunteerism and community service. We welcome all women who value our mission.
To accomplish our mission, the Women’s Commission of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. hosts an annual Fall Conference at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This daylong event is an integral part of educating, motivating, supporting women, and giving them their own day! While a worldwide pandemic and two back-to-back hurricanes (Laura & Delta) may have canceled out our efforts in 2020, that delay did provide us an opportunity to really get ready for the 2021 event!
We invite you to spend a day like no other, so save the date, October 21, 2021. Our 30th Conference Theme is SHARING YOUR PEARLS OF WISDOM!!!!
A crucial part of our legacy is giving back to the Southwest Louisiana community. Each year the Women’s Commission awards scholarships to women attending McNeese State University and Sowela Technical Community College. The criteria are based on grade point average, submission of written essays and financial assistance need. We are also proud to bestow the Jack V. Doland Citizen of the Year Award at our Fall Conference to a woman who has touched the lives of people in her community through selfless service.
It is an honor, privilege, and a pleasure to serve with an excellent Board of Directors. I encourage you to learn more about the Women’s Commission of SWLA, Inc. by exploring our website. Thank you for your interest and commitment to our mission.
2021 Executive Board

Kathy Sonnier

Carol Henry

Doris Guidry

Chantell Smith

Cynthia Tomlinson

Juanita Poland

Cynthia Roy

Leslie Harless

Dorothy Leger

Velika Hurst-Trahan

Cynthia Hawkins

Betty Anderson

Roma Mitchell
Scholarship Director
Our 2021 Commissioners
Welcome to our New Commissioners!

Jenny Broughton
Member Since 2020



Zabrina Epps
Member Since 2020



JoAnn Frank
Member Since 2020



Loretta Gallien
Member Since 2020



Amanda Johnson
Member Since 2020



Dana Lewis
Member Since 2020



Sonya Porche
Member Since 2020



Dinah M. Robinson
Member Since 2020



Alexius Williams
Member Since 2020
Active Members



Roxanne Boxie
Member Since 2019



Jenny Broughton
Member Since 2020



Roxanne Boxie
Member Since 2019


Stefanie Clemons
Member Since 2016



Zabrina Epps
Member Since 2020



JoAnn Frank
Member Since 2020



Loretta Gallien
Member Since 2020


Doris Guidry
Member Since 2016


Velika Hurst-Trahan
Member Since 2019



Amanda Johnson
Member Since 2020



Dana Lewis
Member Since 2020


Shatonia McCarty
Member Since 2019


Roma Mitchell
Member Since 2016


Marlene O'Key
Member Since 2017


Kristina Pershing
Member Since 2016



Sonya Porche
Member Since 2020


Patricia Prudhomme
Member Since 2017



Dinah M. Robinson
Member Since 2020


Kathy Sonnier
Member Since 2016


Bernadette Stevens
Member Since 2016



Alexius Williams
Member Since 2020


Ashley Williams
Member Since 2016
Advisory Members


Melisa Adrian
Member Since 2003


Betty Anderson
Member Since 2002


Sharon Bayard
Member Since 2014


Jeanine Blaney
Member Since 2015


Krystle Johnson-Brown
Member Since 2012


Patricia Daigle
Member Since 2015


Belinda Dugas
Member Since 2003


Vicki Dupre
Member Since 2015


Cheryl Fuseiler
Member Since 2015


Mary Guidry-Ringo
Member Since 2006


Cynthia Hawkins
Member Since 2014


Cheryl Heisser
Member Since 2013


Carol Henry
Member Since 1998


Frances Jeffords
Member Since 2012


Thelma (Petie) LaBove
Member Since 2010


Sandra Laurel
Member Since 2012


Dorothy Leger
Member Since 2015


Carol Ann Martin
Member Since 2012


Anna Murphy
Member Since 2011


Kristin Ned
Member Since 2015


Brittany Pete
Member Since 2015


Thail Pete
Member Since 2013


Juanita Poland
Member Since 2003


Stephanie Rodrigue
Member Since 2011


Cynthia Roy
Member Since 2005


Kimmie Saucier
Member Since 2009


Crystal Scott
Member Since 2015


Chantell Smith
Member Since 2014


Carol Spence
Member Since 2013


Cynthia Tomlinson
Member Since 2014


Nancy Tower
Member Since 2013


Melonie Wallace
Member Since 2012


Ollie Young
Member Since 2015
Lifetime Members


Verda Anthony
Member Since 2003


Susan Blevins
Member Since 1999


Debbie Boudreaux
Member Since 2004


Prissy Bult
Member Since 2007


Laurie Cormier
Member Since 1999


Sybil Douglas
Member Since 2006


Marilyn Dunn
Member Since 1990


Elaine Dyer
Member Since 1999


Donna Green
Member Since 1990


Dr. Harriet Green
Member Since 1990


Jan Guillory
Member Since 2008


Bernadette Huddleston
Member Since 2006


Debra Johnson
Member Since 2011


Sandra Jones
Member Since 2002


Mary Ann Kohnke-Borel
Member Since 2003


Debra Lastrapes
Member Since 2004


Linda Lebert-Corbello
Member Since 1996


Rose Malveaux
Member Since 2002


Anita McMorris
Member Since 2002


Cindy Morrissey
Member Since 1998


Kim Myers
Member Since 1990


Angel Papadimitriou
Member Since 1998


Diana Rentrop
Member Since 2005


Princella Ryan
Member Since 1998


Beverly St. Mary
Member Since 1990


Tammy Thibodeaux
Member Since 2009


Bettye Tousaint
Member Since 2012


Brenda Wilkinson
Member Since 2005
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
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