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
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.
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
Women Serving the Bayou // Volunteerism
by Jessica Taylor, Features Editor Service leagues around the United States focus on helping their communities and local businesses. Specifically to South Louisiana, the Thibodaux Service League, Ta-Wa-Si Civic Club, and Femmes Natales are groups comprised of female members that focus on helping local schools, universities, businesses, and the community. Thibodaux Service League Thibodaux Service League works closely with the community in more than a dozen community projects. TSL puts together six distinctive fundraising events throughout the year. Kristi Gravois, former president of the Thibodaux Service League, explains how the service league has benefited the community. “Each year we give about $25,000 back to the community. By doing these things we’re supporting the community and local businesses,” she says. Gravois, who was born and raised in Morgan City, La., is part of the TSL for ten consecutive years. For two of those years, she served as the league’s president. After finishing college and having a child, the positive work the service league was doing in the community inspired Gravois to join. “I’ve always had a passion for helping others and when the time was right, I decided to join the Thibodaux Service League and I immediately fell in love,” Gravois says. TSL was incorporated in 1974, after a group of 16 young women decided to form an organization on whose purposes would be educational and charitable. Currently the league has 143 sustaining members that, in other words, are local women “who have served for 6 years or done 300 hours of service for Thibodaux and the surrounding communities.” Gravois credits much of the league’s success to the women in charge and those who have helped her. “Women in South Louisiana are truly one of a kind. They are humble, hard-working, genuine, and they never meet a stranger,” Gravois says. Women throughout the league are always willing to help and provide for the community any way they can. “People throughout the community will reach out to us for service help and we do whatever we can to help those in need,” Gravois says. Along with Gravois, Katherine Elias is a league member and will serve as the Vice President for the upcoming year. Elias is involved in the making of the new Service League Legacy Cookbook, Santa’s Land sponsorship, Cinderella’s Closet and other community projects. Elias has been involved in the league for 3 years. “The rewarding feeling of helping people in need throughout the community is something I’ll cherish forever,” she says. Community Projects & Fundraisers To support the greater Thibodaux community, the league is involved with businesses and organizations such as the Bayou Country Children’s Museum, Crossroads, Hope for Animals, Upside Downs and the St. Francis Vegetable Garden. The league is also involved with Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Lafourche Parish (CASA), the Office of Juvenile Justice, and the Lafourche Parish Library, and the league assists the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Toy Drive through which toys for needy children are collected and distributed over the holidays. Cinderella’s Closet, another community project the service league is involved with, takes place once a year around the time of prom and the ROTC ball. Through this event, TSL provides dresses and accessories, including shoes, jewelry, and handbags, to young women who may not be able to afford these things. The event is hosted at Thibodaux High School. In addition to community projects, there are many fundraisers put on by the Thibodaux Service League to help the community, schools, and local businesses. From a daddy-daughter dance to a holiday market, Thibodaux Service League works to make serving the community fun. Other Service Organizations Many other women’s service organizations around South Louisiana help the community. The Ta-Wa-Si civic club was formed in 1947 and took its name from an Indian word meaning friends, or helper. Through annual antique shows, the club contributes to projects, schools, and charities within the South Louisiana region. One of the organization’s many contributions includes tuition scholarships awarded annually to local students who need assistance to attend Nicholls State University. The club’s proceeds benefit students at Nicholls to ensure the future of scholarship opportunities. Along with Thibodaux Service League and Ta-Wa-Si, Femmes Natales is a non-profit organization which serves the Thibodaux community, as well as other communities throughout the year. Femmes Natales’ Annual Runabout was hosted this past October, and the beneficiaries were Isaiah Barnett and St. Francis Vegetable Garden. Isaiah Barnett, 17-months-old, was born with neuroblastoma, which is a rare but aggressive cancer that usually attacks infants and toddlers. At seven months Isaiah began to have bruising and experienced bulging around his eyes. After going to the doctor, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Since the diagnoses, Isaiah has undergone 12 rounds of chemotherapy, which has been extremely hard on Isaiah’s body, as well as his family. Along with the Barnett family, a portion of the proceeds benefited the St. Francis Vegetable Garden. The garden’s purpose is to grow and harvest vegetables to donate to the local food banks, provide a living, and support growers by educating the community about fresh, healthy foods. Women in South Louisiana put others needs before their own, and are always willing to lend a helping hand. So, “Look at This” to learn more about the women who have impacted our community in so many ways. by Tatum Gehbauer, Video/Audio Editor Meet these Bayou Women of Service
Animal Business // Cathy Lee-Stephens
by Tatum Gehbauer, Video/Audio Editor Meet these Bayou Women in Power
In Government // Annette Fontana
by Jessica Taylor, Features Editor South Louisiana is not short of powerful women. From police officers to business owners and government officials, the women in Louisiana are taking leadership positions and making a difference in the community. Annette Fontana is one of the brave, all-around southern women whose path to success is inspiring. Fontana works as Clerk of Court of Lafourche Parish since October of 2015. Prior to being elected, she was an Assistant District Attorney for Lafourche Parish serving as a felony prosecutor of major crimes including homicides and other violent crimes. Fontana was also a private practicing attorney in Lafourche Parish with the law firm of Morvant & Cavell, dealing with civil and family law. She taught Family Law at Nicholls State University from 2009 to 2015. Becoming the Clerk of Court was a long, tiring journey for Fontana, but she loves every minute of it. Fontana graduated from Nicholls State University in education and headed to Southern University in Baton Rouge, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. Despite going to law school, Fontana says she never saw herself as a practicing lawyer. “I always felt I wanted to be in administration, government, or private sector and the clerk’s office provided me with an opportunity to use my legal skills, as well as those I acquired from my various degrees,” she says. In 2011 was chosen as one of the Top Women in Business by the Tri-Parish Times, and in 2014 she was named Best of Lafourche 40 under 40. Also, she has received the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Officer Certificate of Commendation twice for her work as a felony prosecutor. Fontana is not only dedicated to her job and career, but she has also been involved in several organizations in the Thibodaux community. She served as president of the Lafourche Parish Bar Association, Chairperson of the Board of the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce and as a chairperson on the American Red Cross Leadership Committee. She was also a delegate to the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association and an advisory board member for the Bayou Country Children’s Museum. She volunteers for numerous civic activities, including Habitat for Humanity and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Thibodaux Main Street Organization and Hi-5, a non-profit corporation providing an afterschool program for students. “I’ve learned that the women of South Louisiana know how to balance everything from their jobs to being the primary caregiver,” she says. Fontana explains that’s one of her many reasons for being involved in the community besides being the Clerk of Court. “I see how hard other women work, especially in my department, and I see how great of a job they do balancing every aspect of their hectic schedules,” she says. Throughout her term, Fontana says she is focused on adapting the processes of the Clerk’s office to the information age to provide citizens, businesses, and even visitors the resources to obtain any information when they need it. The successful women of power in South Louisiana are essential to the success of the community. “Look at this” to get to know more about the women in power in the Bayou Region! Meet this Bayou Woman in Power
Instilling Self-Esteem // Girls on the Run
by Tatum Gehbauer, Video/Audio Editor Meet these Bayou Women in Power