To some, 24 years may seem a lifetime, but when paired with the opportunity to partner with and support the women of Southwest Louisiana, those years have truly flown by. In 1998, I was invited to join the Women’s Commission of Southwest Louisiana, and what an incredible experience awaited me! In addition to the priceless treasure of meeting lifelong friends, each year, I embraced the opportunity to help create our Annual Women’s Fall Conferences. Over the years, the format of the conference has changed a bit, but that special October event remains an annual favorite.

A significant area in which the Commission has grown is in the volunteer business of serving others. Each year, more and more opportunities to directly serve others are sought out by our Commissioners and together we continue to be a viable asset to our communities, in ways both big and small. As Mother Teresa was so fond of saying, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love.”

I do take great pride in the fact that the Commission has grown a scholarship program that not only provides financial assistance to non-traditional students of both SOWELA Technical Community College and McNeese State University.  Our recipients are often balancing studies with caring for families and working one or more jobs. It is so uplifting to know that the Women’s Commission of Southwest Louisiana helped them reach that personal goal.

All of this and so much more has been my experience with my Fellow Commissioners for the last 24 years!  It is my pleasure to serve as 2022 President of the Women’s Commission of Southwest Louisiana, but truly my honor and privilege to serve, in a special way, all of the Women of Southwest Louisiana.  As we remember pandemics that changed our lives and weather events that caused us to review our perspectives on life; and as we traverse a year encumbered with economic challenges and political diversion, controversy and war, let us together remain steadfast in making our world a better and more inclusive place, in ways both big and small.

I close with gratitude to serve alongside the ladies of the Women’s Commission, on behalf of all of the great women of Southwest Louisiana.

With utmost sincerity,

Carol Henry