Meet // Geaux Girl
Women of Spirit // Geaux Girl
by Jessica Taylor, Features Editor Faith plays an important role in the lives of people in South Louisiana. From Native-American religious ceremonies, to voodoo rituals and Christian masses, faith in the South has multiple faces. Native American Much more than a personal relationship between the faithful and their devotion, women in South Louisiana are proud to share their faith and to help others to find their faith as well. One of the spiritual groups in South Louisiana is a small community of American Indians in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Native American cultures began to form rituals, which were practices formed around their methods of acquiring food, from hunting to agriculture. They also embrace ceremonies and rituals that provided power to conquer the difficulties of life, as well as events and milestones. To Native Americans, religion does stem from the notions of God, but it is also formulated around their beliefs of powers. Therefore, their religious ceremonies focus on God and power. Voodoo Another common and interesting practice is Voodoo, something often associated with Louisiana. Tina Granger, sociology professor at Nicholls State University, explains that Marie Laveau, known as the Voodoo Queen, changed how Voodoo is practiced today. “Although Voodoo originated in Africa (Afro- Caribbean Vodou), Laveau’s religious rite on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain on St. John’s Eve in 1874 attracted 12,000 black and white New Orleanians, which brought the practice of Voodoo to South Louisiana,” Granger says. Once news spread of her power, she began to dominate the other Voodoo leaders of New Orleans. Laveau, who was also a Catholic, incorporated some practices of Catholicism into the Voodoo belief system we know today. “It’s not uncommon for those who practice voodoo to worship at the Catholic Church every Sunday and then worship voodoo that same evening,” Granger says There are four phases of a voodoo ritual. They are all identifiable by the song being sung; preparation, invocation, possession and farewell. The songs are used to open the gate between the deities and the human world and invites the spirits to possess someone. The core beliefs of Louisiana Voodoo include the recognition of one God who does not interfere in people’s daily lives and spirits that preside over daily life. Connections with these spirits can be achieved through dance, music, singing, and the use of snakes. A strong sense of faith is one of the main shared characteristics of women down the bayou, regardless of religion. Christianity Although the Nicholls Community is a diverse body of people with different sets of beliefs, Christianity is one of the most predominant religions on campus. Maegan Martin, a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), interacts with other women of faith in the area on a daily basis. Originally from Cuero, Texas, Martin came to Nicholls State University to work with athletes and students to help guide them in their faith. “As a former collegiate athlete, I lead FCA [Fellowship Christian Athletes] at Nicholls State and mentor athletes in their faith,” Martin says. “As an athlete, injuries can happen, school can become difficult, and many other things can come into play, making it difficult to have faith and believe in God’s plan.” She helps student-athletes as well as other students to keep faithful and to try to understand that, despite all adversities, God has a bigger plan for everyone’s lives. Although Martin hasn’t been a resident here long, she says that, unlike anywhere else, she has encountered a large percentage of women who are strong in their faith in South Louisiana. Whether it’s related to athletics, family or school, faith is often needed to overcome many obstacles in life. Annie Knight, a sophomore mass communications student at Nicholls State University, is a faith-filled, passionate young woman who attends mass weekly. Like many students, Knight has a full-time class schedule filled with school work and extracurricular activities. Despite her busy life, her faith is a substantial part of her day. “I pray throughout my day with scripture through psalms. Also, during rough times or whenever I need guidance, I seek counsel from religious leaders such as a priest or the available leaders on campus,” Knight says. Knight explains her faith helps her be the best version of herself, which right now consists of her being the best student she can be. Along with Martin, Jocelyn Gosman is also a missionary and is the team director of FOCUS at Nicholls State. Gosman, who was raised by a family of faith, explains how she fell away from her faith when she started college and rekindled in her faith through a Bible study she joined on campus. Now that she’s a team director and a leader for FOCUS, she has grown even deeper in her faith. “As a team director and leader, I start my day with an hour of prayer and I also try to engage others in faith and allow them to see how much they are loved by the Father as I have been loved through my personal experiences,” Gosman says. Martin, Knight and Gosman are the prime examples of South Louisiana women who, connected by their faith, create the hospitable, charitable, warm culture of South Louisiana. So “Look at This” to learn more about other women of spirit from South Louisiana. Meet these Bayou Women of Spirit
Women in Power // Geaux Girl
by Jessica Taylor, Features Editor From protecting individuals for the improvement of the community to successful businesses, the women of South Louisiana are an example of the impact empowered women can have in our community. “Women in South Louisiana are powerful because they don’t limit themselves,” says Laura Valenti, professor of marketing at Nicholls State University. Empowered women throughout the world are challenging the status quo. In South Louisiana too, women have proven to bring a different type of “hard work” to the table. As a working mom who is also finishing her doctoral degree and teaching four classes full-time, Valenti’s own experience shows how women are capable of facing the struggles and balancing all aspects of a busy schedule. “Moving around the country while I was growing up allowed me to see different parts of the United States, as well as how acted,” Valenti says. “[In Louisiana] I’ve seen more women in law enforcement, owning businesses, and all while being moms.” Besides teaching, there are many other women in the community who share a similar type of power — police officers. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), nationally there are nearly 4,000 state police, 19,400 sheriffs’, and 53,300 local police who are women. Of all the federal law enforcement nationally with sworn officers, the Office of Inspectors General had the largest percent of female officers (25%). Women are still a minority group among law enforcement. Across the 24 parishes in south Louisiana however, there are approximately 461 women who are police officers. Throughout the community, there are many women that hold a tremendous amount of power. Lieutenant Kim Lane, the Supervisor-Police Support Services, is another woman who has a strong impact in the community. She began her career in law enforcement at Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office in 1988. “In 1999 I was hired by Lafourche Parish Fire District #3, where I worked as a dispatcher for the fire department, Lafourche Ambulance District #1 and Greater Lafourche Port Commission Harbor Office,” she says. That same year she transferred to the Thibodaux Police Department. After working in the communications department for a little over a year, she became a patrol officer. Now she is assigned to patrol as a shift commander with the rank of a lieutenant and is the first woman to hold this position. Lane explains how the women of South Louisiana are free to be who they want to be and are openly accepted. Lane says her dreams of holding such a high position wouldn’t have been possible if the women of South Louisiana did not have this mindset. “Lieutenant is a big deal in our department. There are many other high-ranking females in our departments, but I’m the highest-ranked woman in our department, which is a huge accomplishment,” Lane says. She says throughout her department females are required to do the same thing as males and everyone is treated equally. “We have to do the same physical challenges as well as tests,” she says. Lane is also a bodybuilder, which she says helped her excel in the police academy, as well as in her department. Many women in south Louisiana own businesses, placing them in an ultimate position of power. Charlet Brignac, owner of Three Stitches Embroidery, is one of many women who own their own businesses. Brignac started out in the medical field working in radiology, but felt that career path was too demanding for what she wanted to accomplish in life. “When I do something, I do it 100%. I didn’t feel that was being accomplished working in the medical field,” she says. After that realization, Brignac opened Three Stitches Embroidery. The company has become a larger part of the community and is partnered with many organizations including the Nicholls Softball Team, as well as other athletic teams around the area. Whether it’s protecting the community, owning businesses, or being a working mom, Bayou women hold some powerful positions. So “Look at this” and learn a little bit more about the powerful women who have impacted our community in so many ways. Loading… Meet these Bayou Women in Power
Women at Play // Geaux Girl
by Jessica Taylor, Features Editor Southern Louisiana is known for its unique culture, ambition in life, and the women who make this happen. From fitness to art, the women at play in Louisiana show their strength by bringing something special to everything they do. Jenny Lafont, fitness instructor at the Nicholls State Recreational Center and Thibodaux Wellness Center, is one of those strong women. A former collegiate swimmer at Texas A&M University, Lafont has a genuine love for fitness, and she is inspired by Olympic swimmer, Janet Evans. “Evans was the only person who truly inspired me to continue to swim competitively,” Lafont says. “I admired her and her commitment.” Nowadays, Lafont spends her time sharing her passion for fitness by teaching yoga, core, and spinning class every Monday and Tuesday. “I wanted to do something like coaching, but in fitness. I got certified to teach, and fell in love with helping others,” she says. Like Lafont, the women in South Louisiana are independent and motivated. Deborah Cibelli, professor of Art History at Nicholls State University, talks about the strong-willed women of South Louisiana. She compares the women of South Louisiana to the women in the film “Steel Magnolias.” “Since I started living here, I’ve noticed women in South Louisiana are much more ambitious and determined than women in other areas of the United States,” she says. Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Cibelli moved down to South Louisiana for her teaching job. She holds a doctorate in art history from the State University of New York at Binghamton. At Nicholls, she teaches courses on Ancient Art, Non-Western Art, the Italian Renaissance, and Women in the Baroque, art between years 1600-1750. “In college, I studied foreign language and always came back to art. I was attracted to art from different countries and when I figured out art history was a concentration, it seemed appropriate for me to do,” Cibelli says. Besides teaching, Cibelli is currently the director of the University Honors Program and Assistant Dean of the College of Arts. Cibelli is able to share her passions and possibly inspire young women to follow her path into the art world. Art plays a major role in the culture of South Louisiana. Art is also a big part of the life of Juliana Pennison, owner of Peony Photography. Pennison’s business is based out of Thibodaux, La., but she was raised in Galliano, La. Pennison always has a camera around her. “My mom was a family photographer and she taught me all the fundamentals and took me with her to every shoot she did,” she says. At 16 years old, Pennison was approached to do a small wedding, and her career took off from there. Pennison explains the moment she knew she was destined for wedding photography was when she got a call from a bride whose grandfather passed away a month after her wedding. “The bride wanted to thank me for getting one last professional picture of him dancing with her and she was going to cherish it forever,” Pennison says. Then it clicked. “I am documenting incredible, once-in-a-lifetime memories for so many people. The high-energy pressure of my days and the beauty and love we get to witness reminds me this isn’t just a job, but the best career I could have hoped for,” she says. Pennison is able to capture one of the most important moments in some women’s lives and turn it into something that will last forever. She shares her passion with couples around the bayou region and can serve as a model to other young women. Pennison proves that hard work and determination breed success. Lafont, Cibelli, and Pennison have a certain drive and ambition that is unique to women in Southern Louisiana. So, “Look at This” to learn more about the women at play who bring something special to the bayou region. Meet these Bayou Women at Play
Garfish Scale Art // United Houma Nation
by Tatum Gehbauer, Video/Audio Editor Meet these Bayou Women of Spirit
Mother-Daughter Venture // Ginger & Bee
by Angelle Gaspard, Managing Editor Meet these Bayou Women in Power
Quintessential Crawfish // Holly Marie’s Seafood
by Sarah Zeringue, Design & Web Editor Editor Holly Marie is not your typical Monday-Friday business owner. She works hands on providing the Mathews and surrounding area’s finest seafood. Whether it’s fresh from the boat or boiled to perfection, she works diligently to provide the community with the best catch. Not only does she serve the community with the finest seafood, she also helps visitors in the area with how to peel and eat seafood. Eat crawfish like a true Cajun… and like a lady at that.
Bayou Inspired Creations // Lucyfree Art
by Angelle Gaspard, Managing Editor Meet these Bayou Woman of Play
Cajun Faith & Healing // Traiteurs
by Angelle Gaspard, Managing Editor Traiteur. Treater. Healer by faith. What was once a common practice in South Louisiana has since died down. Gheens is a small town that follows a long, rough road between Matthews and Raceland. Edna Quick lives in the middle of this small town. Quick is a practicing traiteur and the only one left within the town. “I have people from different places that come to be treated, and I do not refuse them because I’m doing the work of the lord,” she says with a soft Cajun accent. Quick sees people from within the state, and even others from states like Texas and Georgia. Word of her practices travel from one person to another. People now, and in the past, see traiteurs or bring their children to be treated for illnesses that may or may not otherwise be curable by modern medicine, and just as tradition shows, Quick does not accept payment for what she does. “This is the lord’s work, it’s not mine. I don’t heal, the lord does,” she says. Some people continue to visit traiteurs like Quick today for one reason, faith. People have faith in this woman and her abilities to heal ailments through prayer. Quick says people will call and set up appointments for ailments such as shingles. They meet her in her home and she first has them explain what the problem is and where it is located. She then takes them to an alter she has in her bedroom and says a particular prayer that she was taught and then she gives them instructions about what they need to do on their own. Part of the healing process is the prayers made by the traiteur, but another part is the patient’s ability to follow through with any additional prayers or practices they are instructed to do. In the past, medical care was not as affordable nor was it readily available in South Louisiana. “Treaters were common,” she reminisces. “That’s how we grew up. We had no money to go to the doctor.” Growing up, Quick was treated within her own home because she comes from a long family line of traiteurs. Her aunt, sister, and mother were all treaters. She explains that she was able to go to her family as well as three or four other treaters within the area. “Now I’m the only one left,” she says. “I think this is a dying practice, and it’s a very sad thing to be lost.” Quick learned all of her treatments and prayers from her mother and sister, who were both traiteurs. She says at first she did not want to learn any of it because she was too young to understand. As she grew older, her sister fell ill and asked that Quick learn their mother’s treatments. She says that she learned everything fairly quickly and at the time she was taught completely in French. The practice has been passed from one woman to another in Quick’s family, but she has not yet taught her daughters. “It’s gotta be somebody that want to do it and devote themselves,” she says passionately. “You’ve gotta devote yourself because if you call me today and ask me, I’m not going to refuse you.” She says she does not want to pass it on to someone who will not commit fully and be open to accepting anyone at anytime for treatment because it would be a waste. Traiteurs truly exhibit characteristics of selflessness. Because of modern medicine some people have turned away from older traditions and practices of traiteurs like Quick, but some still have faith in the old ways. The only way the tradition will live on is if others who share the gift are willing to take the time to learn the old treatments and prayers to keep this unique aspect of southern culture alive. Meet these Bayou Woman of Spirit
Serving Her Country // Jennifer Marts
by Jessica Taylor, Features Editor Balancing academic work while being an active member of the United States Army is a task that Nicholls State University Mass Communications student Jennifer Marts has mastered. Protecting our country is one of the things that make the women of South Louisiana so special. The defense of our nation is not solely a male’s job; it is a shared responsibility. “Women have served in the defense of this land years before our United States was born. They have contributed their talents, skills and courage to this endeavor for more than two centuries with an astounding record of achievement,” says Retired Chief of Staff, Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, in a “Women in the Army” website. Marts, 23-year-old journalism major from Larose, has been a member of the United States Army since 2015. She serves in the US Army as a truck driver. Marts’ decision to enlist was not based on any specific person. Instead, she felt that it was the right thing for her. “It was something I had been thinking about for a while, and I just went for it because I knew it would make me happy,” Marts says. “I got to a point in my life where I wanted to do something to influence me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I found that within the army.” Marts says her background is one of the major things that allows her to feel she will be successful in the army. Coming from a large family, she’s taken the team mentality into the army. “Southern Louisiana women are close-knit and that’s something I’ve taken into the army because we all come together and work as a team,” Marts says. “The other women and I understand we aren’t different from each other. We’ve all had our struggles, but we’ve been successful because of our work ethic and teamwork.” Marts first started attending Nicholls in 2011, but had some setbacks along the way. She returned to school in 2015 and soon after decided to enlist in the Army. “The school as well as the department has been behind me and was willing to accommodate so I could also finish school,” Marts says. For this current deployment, Jennifer will not only be taking another break from school, but she is also setting aside her love of fashion and modeling. She has walked in New Orleans Fashion Week and writes for the New Orleans based fashion magazine MOI. Marts’ eating habits also set her apart, not only in South Louisiana but also within the Army. Marts is vegan, which is not very common for a person who was born and raised in South Louisiana. With all the crawfish, etouffee, and jambalaya, being a vegan in the bayou region is not easy, and it is even more difficult in the army. “The military has been able to accommodate and it’s made everything much easier,” Marts says. Marts is currently deployed. “I’m very anxious and excited for this amazing opportunity. I didn’t think it would come this fast, but I’m 100 percent okay with that.” Photo by: Farren Clark Photo by: Farren Clark Photo by: Farren Clark Photo by: Carl Lynch Photo by: Eduardo Benitez Photo by: Grayland Fredericks Photo by: Eduardo Benitez Photo by: Eduardo Benitez Meet these Bayou Women in Power