Awards & Scholarships
Jack V. Doland Award
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

Velika Trahan

Cynthia Roy

Amanda Johnson

Roxanne Boxie

Carol Henry

Kristina Pershing

Ollie Young-Mayes

Leslie Harless

Roma Mitchell
Scholarship Director

Kim King

Shatonia McCarty

Anna Murphy

Bernadette Stevens

Dorothy Leger

Alexius Williams

Patricia Daigle
Our 2023 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

Jasmine Abel

Jody Barrilleaux

Jeanine Blaney

Roxanne Boxie

Mia England

Daelynn Flagg

JoAnn Frank

Zelda Fry

Loretta Gallien

Cheyanna Glyenn

Kimalee Guidry

Leslie Harless

Velika Hurst-Trahan

Amanda Johnson

Angela Jouett

Kim King

Shatonia McCarty

Marlana O’Key

Karla O’Reilly

Patricia Prudhomme

Dinah M. Robinson

Jennifer Rulon

Elizabeth Stewart

Alexius Williams

Lisa Grayson
Advisory Members

Melisa Adrian
Member Since 2003

Sharon Bayard
Member Since 2014

Jeanine Blaney

Stefanie Clemons
Member Since 2016

Patricia Daigle
Member Since 2015

Belinda Dugas
Member Since 2003

Vicki Dupre

Cheryl Fuseiler
Member Since 2015

Mary Guidry-Ringo

Cynthia Hawkins

Carol Henry

Frances Jeffords

Debra Lastrapes

Sandra Laurel

Dorothy Leger

Carol Ann Martin

Roma Mitchell

Anna Murphy

Kristina Pershing

Brittany Pete

Thail Pete

Cynthia Roy

Crystal Scott

Chantell Smith

Carol Spence

Bernadette Stevens

Cynthia Tomlinson

Ollie Young-Mayes

Melonie Wallace

Kathy Sonnier
Emeritus Members
Lifetime Members

Verda Anthony

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

Cheryl Heisser
Member Since 2013

Bernadette Huddleston
Member Since 2006

Debra Johnson
Member Since 2011

Krystle Johnson-Brown
Member Since 2012

Sandra Jones
Member Since 2002

Mary Ann Kohnke-Borel
Member Since 2003

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

Juanita Poland
Member Since 2003

Diana Rentrop
Member Since 2005

Stephanie Rodrigue
Member Since 2011

Princella Ryan
Member Since 1998

Kimmie Saucier
Member Since 2009

Beverly St. Mary
Member Since 1990

Tammy Thibodeaux
Member Since 2009

Bettye Tousaint
Member Since 2012

Nancy Tower
Member Since 2013

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
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