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- PO Box 6712 • Lake Charles, LA 70606
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ABOUT US
The Women's Commission of Southwest Louisiana, Inc., was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in 1990. The Commission’s overall mission is to educate, empower, and expand the status of women living in Southwest Louisiana.
Scholarships
The Women's Commission of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. is pleased to award four $1000 scholarships for non-traditional students at McNeese State University and Sowela Technical Community College.
A Message from the President
Dorothy M. Leger
Greetings, I am truly honored to serve as President of the Women’s Commission of SWLA, Inc. As we prepare to Celebrate 35 years of Excellence, our organization stands proudly for hosting one of the largest one-day conferences that has empowered and enhanced the status of women living in Southwest Louisiana, for the past 34 years. Our 2024 Women’s Fall Conference was a huge Success! We are grateful for the overwhelming support from the community, sponsors, and marketplace vendors.
The Women’s Commission proudly awards four scholarships annually to non-traditional female students enrolled to complete their degrees at both McNeese State University and Sowela Technical Community College.
The Jack V. Doland Citizen of the Year award is presented each year at the annual fall conference to a woman who is actively involved in the community, for her humanitarian efforts, volunteer services and contributions. We also proudly make a $1000 donation each year to the recipient’s charity of choice.
The Women’s Fall Conference will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Lake Charles Event Center. During our luncheon, our dynamic Keynote Speaker will “Empower, Encourage and Up Lift” everyone in attendance. Workshops will be offered throughout the day, and our Marketplace will host a variety of vendors for your shopping pleasure, and many opportunities for networking and socializing.
Please plan to join us on Thursday, October 16th at the 2025 Women’s Fall Conference.
A Message from our Chairperson
Amanda johnson
Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence! Empower! Encourage! UPLIFT!!! We have empowered, encouraged and continue to uplift women in our community for the past 35 years.
It is indeed an honor and a privilege to be your 2025 Fall Conference Chair which will take place on October 16, 2025, at the Lake Charles Event Center.
As we embark on this milestone Coral Anniversary, I invite you to enjoy our MarketPlace and vendors from across Southwest (Southbest) Louisiana and Texas.
Our Speakers, workshops and keynote speaker EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE AND UPLIFT you. Invite a friend or two and make it an opportunity to network.
Our mission is to educate, empower and expand the status of women living in Southwest Louisiana and this year will be no different.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the women of the Commission, who have worked tirelessly to keep this nonprofit organization, going strong with 55 members on the roster and growing. We could not do the activities that we do without you the community and our sponsors. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I look forward to working with you and for you during our 35th year celebration.
Fall Conference
2025 Keynote Speaker
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Having been dubbed ‘The Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century’ by Sports Illustrated, Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s athletic accomplishments are literally second to none. By the conclusion of her career in the heptathlon and long jump events she had amassed six Olympic medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and four World Champion titles over four consecutive Olympic Games. Jackie was the first woman in history to earn more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon and today, over 20 years later, she still holds the world heptathlon record of 7,291 points. She continues to hold the Olympic and national records in the long jump and her 1994 performance in the long jump remains the second longest in history.
In addition to heptathlon and long jump, Jackie was a world class 100m and 200m runner and, after a decorated All-American career in basketball at UCLA, she eventually played professional basketball for a short time.
Jackie’s athletic accomplishments have been well documented and remain some of the best ever across all of sports. Less well known are her tireless efforts and remarkable accomplishments off the field as a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s education, health issues (in particular asthma from which she has suffered throughout her life), racial equality, social reform, and women’s rights.
Born in 1962 in East St. Louis, IL, Jackie came from very humble beginnings but despite very strained conditions she describes her early home life as being full of love, principle, and discipline. These ingrained values have served Jackie well both on and off the field through her life. She has been described by the sports media as one of the warmest, most even-tempered, grace-filled persons in all of athletics.
One of four children to Mary and Alfred Joyner, Jackie’s older brother Al went on to become an Olympic Champion triple jumper and married Florence Griffith (Joyner), a five time Olympic medalist. In 1986 she married her long time coach, Bob Kersee.
Jackie is the author of both A Kind of Grace (1997), her autobiography, and A Woman’s Place is Everywhere. She is an active professional speaker and is widely considered one of the most inspiring motivational speakers in all of sports. Jackie speaks on topics of athletics, business success, living with the limitations of medical issues, nutrition, women’s issue, and youth advocacy.
