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
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
Roxanne Boxie
Member Since 2019
Paula Farquahar
Member Since 2022
JoAnn Frank
Member Since 2020
Loretta Gallien
Member Since 2020
Lisa Grayson
Member Since 2022
Kimalee Guidry
Member Since 2022
Leslie Harless
Member Since 2019
Velika Hurst-Trahan
Member Since 2019
Amanda Johnson
Member Since 2020
Angela Jouett
Member Since 2022
Kim King
Member Since 2022
Shatonia McCarty
Member Since 2019
Marlana O’Key
Member Since 2017
Karla O’Reilly
Member Since 2022
Patricia Prudhomme
Member Since 2017
Dinah M. Robinson
Member Since 2020
Elizabeth Stewart
Member Since 2022
Alexius Williams
Member Since 2020
Advisory Members
Melisa Adrian
Member Since 2003
Sharon Bayard
Member Since 2014
Jeanine Blaney
Member Since 2015
Stefanie Clemons
Member Since 2016
Patricia Daigle
Member Since 2015
Belinda Dugas
Member Since 2003
Vicki Dupre
Member Since 2015
Cheryl Fuseiler
Member Since 2015
Cynthia Tomlinson
Member Since 2014
Mary Guidry-Ringo
Member Since 2006
Cynthia Hawkins
Member Since 2014
Ollie Young-Mayes
Member Since 2015
Carol Henry
Member Since 1998
Frances Jeffords
Member Since 2012
Kathy Sonnier
Member Since 2016
Debra Lastrapes
Member Since 2004
Sandra Laurel
Member Since 2012
Dorothy Leger
Member Since 2015
Carol Ann Martin
Member Since 2012
Roma Mitchell
Member Since 2016
Anna Murphy
Member Since 2011
Kristina Pershing
Member Since 2016
Brittany Pete
Member Since 2015
Thail Pete
Member Since 2013
Stephanie Rodrigue
Member Since 2011
Cynthia Roy
Member Since 2005
Bernadette Stevens
Member Since 2016
Crystal Scott
Member Since 2015
Chantell Smith
Member Since 2014
Carol Spence
Member Since 2013
Melonie Wallace
Member Since 2012
Emeritus Members
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
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
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