Over 2100 votes have come in so far for the Louisiana Woman of the Year. That tells me that people care about honoring one of our most precious resources--our women.
Earlier this year, Bayoubuzz, a statewide publication, requested names for “Woman of the Year”.We received names of remarkable women.Everyone nominated is selected as a nominee.You did the nominating and we hope you also do the voting. Based on the results so far, you are doing so.
True, some of these fine individuals are better known than others.But, they come from various walks of life in Louisiana—from attorney, to politician, to wife, to activist and the list goes on.
As Publisher of Bayoubuzz, I have been truly honored to have received such wonderful list of names from people who care for Louisiana and about women who are making a difference.
The vote will be over on December 31, 2008.During the first week of January 2009, we will announce the winner.
Bayoubuzz will list the five top vote recipients but only one will be considered the “Woman of the Year”.Bayoubuzz will honor the top five vote receivers with plaques and a five minute video interview.We will provide a special honor for the chosen person including offering a ten-minute video interview special prizes to be announced soon.
We thank you for your names of people who are obviously very special to you.We also thank the excellent nominees for giving so much to our Louisiana community.Last, you can only vote once but you certainly can send this page or link around to your friends and contacts and ask them to vote.These women have given themselves to Louisiana and they represent the tens of thousands of other women who strive for perfection in what they do for their respective families and for their community we call Louisiana.We thank all of the women of Louisiana for working under severe adversity these past years and look forward to “Louisiana Women” leading the path to a new tomorrow.Here are the nominations.Now, it’s time to get out the vote.
I nominate Dr. Gilda Reed for Woman of the Year. Not only was she chosen as #21 professor out of the whole nation on Rate My Professor (the only Louisiana educator to land in the upper 25)--not only does she teach overloaded classes each semester at the University of New Orleans and is loved and underpaid--not only does she mother her own 7 children, her many grandchildren and everybody else's children--not only is she an avid public school supporter--not only is she a tireless advocate for the downtrodden--not only is she a skilled negotiator--but also she fought for 18 months for the right to represent LA-01 in the US House of Representatives. She put 43,000 miles on her car and spent thousands to give voters a working family's candidate. 24 unions endorsed her wholeheartedly and time ran out for half-dozen more. She touched many as she criss-crossed all 6 parishes again and again. Did I mention that she did all this heavy grassroots campaigning despite a lifelong polio disability, leg braces and a walker? Did I mention that she is such a pro-lifer that she adopted 2 children with disabilites after birthing 5? Did I mention that she held her family together as they weathered the loss of 2 grandbabies? Did I mention that she makes time for her elderly parents? Did I mention that she follows her Navy sons and has not missed a homecoming or deployment? Did I mention that 6 of her 7 are college grads?
Annette Loria
I know this is a bit unorthodox, but I would love to nominate a woman who does not hold a 9-5 job but is responsible for the constant care of the elderly. One elderly man is in need of her daily care and much of his hygiene needs. Another elderly man, 92 years of age, is in constant need of her care as well. Also, she cares for another woman who is in her late 70's and is incapable of caring for all of her 92 year old husband's needs. (For many years, until she had to care for these folks, she delivered to the elderly through Meals on Wheels. She also worked for Operation Blessing, getting groceries and finances to pay electric bills)
Along with that, this woman is in constant contact with other women younger and older than she bringing counseling support concerning motherhood, being a wife, as well as the issues of budgeting. Many women have experienced a total change of attitude and care for their husbands as a result of her caring and straight forward words of wisdom.
As well, she is the grandmother of two and weekly supporting the needs her daughter in law to have some time when she has to work or run errands. She never fails to prepare and put a hot meal on the table for dinner (Never a TV dinner!)
This woman is tireless. She is amazingly devoted to her husband of thirty years and has given up a corporate life that without question would have cast her in the national, if not international spotlight.
By now you probably know that this woman is MY wife, and the elderly for whom she has given selfless care for several years now are her dad, mom and step father.
And this, is not the half of it, but I will end here.
Thank you for the opportunity to nominate my wife, Annette Loria, for Woman of the Year.
Yours,
Frank Loria
Lakeview Beacons of Hope
They do not get as as much coverage as Women of the Storm , but Denise Thornton, Rita LeGrand, Margaret Brudszinski, Denise Hoffman , Suzanne Wirth, etc are the reason Lakeview is coming back, in SPITE of the lack of help from city hall in dealing with blight. These women make sure houses are gutted, lots cut, volunteers coordinated, zoning monitored, complicated databases maintained, and even find time to beautify the long forgotten WWII memorial to Lakeview boys on Florida Blvd. Real warriors, making a HUGE difference in an area of total devastation. No other area can claim such progress, and I believe they are to be credited for making folks believe and thus return and show just how much some steel magnolias can turn things around
Judge Sharon Marchman
Judge Sharon Marchman 4th District Court in Ouachita Parish for all of her work on laws on Children and setting up a juvenile drug court along with a juvenile court. She also has fine tuned the truancy program for the schools.
Cynthia Simien
Cynthia Simien, Artist Agent and Manager for 16 years to one of the most successful, internationally known, touring and recording artists in roots music, Grammy award winning Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, (www.terrancesimien.com), a 25 year music industry veteran and highly respected cultural ambassador for his state and zydeco roots genre.Her 965 Music Group handles management and booking, event promotion and publicity for music events and artists. She was born in the state of Ohio in 1961 and educated in Charlotte, NC. She relocated to Louisiana from Atlanta 1990.She is the mother of Marcella Rene Simien, 17. Her family resides in Charlotte, North Carolina since 1977. She has been a resident of Lafayette, LA since 1990
Karen Carter Peterson
Patricia Smith
I nominate as women of the year Karen Carter Peterson and Patricia Smith, the only two women in the Louisiana Legislature (and two of only three legislators) who voted against the Nevers creationism bill. By doing so, they showed political courage and a true social conscience
Supriya Jindal
First lady, Mrs. Jindal is a lovely person who is very talented and gifted in her own right.Louisiana is very lucky to have her as our “first lady” and symbolizes action, compassion and the strength behind her man.
Dawn Landrum
I nominate Dawn Landrum of the LALA Agency for "Woman of the Year". As Agent and Founder of the LALA Talent Agency in Bossier City, Louisiana,. she has built her agency
through hard work, honesty, and a selfless devotion to her actors that goes well beyond the norm. In doing so, she has redefined the Entertainment Industry to what it should be-
based on teamwork, ethics, training, and the Golden Rule. Her philosphy is based on not what you do for yourself but what you do for others. And personally, she continued to have faith in me as an actor, when I didn't have any faith in myself. Her family-oriented agency has become one of the sought- after Talent Agencies in the world. She does not like recognition for what she does but, "Sorry, Dawn- you are just too much of a Shing Light".
Elizabeth Coulon
I would like to nominate Elizabeth Coulon for Woman of the Year for the film industry in Louisiana. Liz has shown a dedication to Louisiana production and has cast dozens of projects all across Louisiana. She is always professional and has a great work ethic. Liz is a graduate of my alma mater, the University of New Orleans and has shown dedication to rebuilding New Orleans by providing employment to thousands of Actors in New Orleans.She is also a very humble person and I am proud of her success. She is currently casting the Jim Carey project "I Love You Phillip Morris" and I nominate Liz for the highest of honors.
Women Of The Storm
I'd nominate the Women of the Storm for all their work they've done for New Orleans recovery.
Jean Armstrong
Mrs. Armstrong has been a strong arm at the Baton Rouge League of Women Voters.She has led the way with courage and conviction helping to bring civics back to the uncivilized world of Louisiana.She gets my nomination.
Sandy Rosenthal
Sandy Rosenthal, the Founder, levees.org has proven that a single person can make a major difference.After Katrina she almost single-handedly took on the powerful U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.She is certainly one of Katrina’s heroes.
Angelle Davis
Angele Davis is Gov. Bobby Jindal’s Commissioner of Administration and was previously Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.She is showing that a woman can not only count, literally, but make things happen for Louisiana women.
Audrey Nabors-Jackson
Audrey Nabors-Jackson has been and still is a dedicated and remarkable
motivator and mentor for those persons whose lives she has touched. At age 81, she has not yet begun to slow down. A 1981 retiree from the Baton Rouge School System, she has busied herself civically, politically and as an avid social action agent making sure that her involvements serve her community, state and nation. Through her church, jobs, civic and social organizations, and her political
involvement she has been a reckoning force locally, statewide and nationally. She is greatly admired and respected for her energy, love, guidance and devotion by everyone who knows her. She has been a positive force in this state and inspiration for others to become involved in civic and volunteer pursuits.
Audrey Nabors-Jackson is truly deserving of the honor of being “Louisiana’s
Woman of the Year.”
Christy Fast Kane, Louisiana Appleseed
I nominate Christy Fast Kane, Louisiana Appleseed Executive Director and Partner in the firm’s New Orleans office, for the BayouBuzz Louisiana Woman of the Year.
Among so many other things, in January 2007, in addition to her legal work as one of the top litigation attorneys at Adams and Reese, Kane stepped into the leadership role of the state’s struggling legal pro bono services chapter, Louisiana Appleseed, part of National Appleseed, a nonprofit network of 16 public interest law centers across the country whose mission is to develop practical and lasting solutions to chronic injustice and focus on changing policy in the legal arena. Louisiana Appleseed asks top private practice lawyers, corporate counsel, law schools, civic leaders and other professionals to commit pro bono time to address problems at their root causes, producing practical, systemic solutions to effect change.
Today, the Louisiana chapter is one of the top producing Appleseed chapters in the nation, recruiting approximately 50 attorneys from the top law firms statewide to work pro bono on legal projects ranging from writing mental health and child custody handbooks to resolving title-clearing and heirship property issues for Road Home applicants; researching teacher recruitment issues and bridging the gap between low-income communities and mainstream banks and financial institutions by educating members of underserved communities about how to access financial services; and discovering how local banks determine what products and services are already offered to low-income community members. With support from the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Appleseed also hopes to work with Puentes New Orleans on financial literacy classes geared toward the Hispanic community, providing training and materials in Spanish.
Senator Mary Landrieu
She brings home the pork and is the only effective member of the Louisiana delegation right now. Besides Gov. Jindal, she's seems to be the only elected official in Louisiana period who is making progress and still making things happen.
Charlotte Lilly-Bass
Charlotte Lilly-Bass of Animal Rescue New Orleans is still saving lives of animals left on the streets of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. She worked tirelessly during the storm to rescue and save as many pets as possible. Her work continued after the storm to reunite rescued pets with their owners. Now, nearly 3 years later, she and her group continue to feed, water, spay and neuter animals left homeless after the storm. Ms. Lilly-Bass deserves a nomination for woman of the year as she embodies what I have come to believe is the spirit of New Orleans - hope and persistence.
Margarita Bergen
Senorita Bergen is a “dahling” and an “darling” inspiration to us all.She provides upbeat helpful information on Bayoubuzz and other publications concerning what to do.She is giving her time to help rebuild a great city, New Orleans.
Wendy Vitter
While her husband failed her in a very public way, Wendy Vitter has shown true courage willing to not only stand by her husband but to weather the scorn of the Bobbit jokes.That takes strength. Through troubled-times, she epitomizes family values as she so dearly values her family.
Charlotte Lilly-Bass
Please give this honor to Charlotte Lilly-Bass-she not only cares about the animals that help make peoples lives complete, but she also helps the people. She is a wonderful person that truly cares and works so hard to help.
Stacy Head
Stacey Head is a tireless representative of the people, focused on the good of New Orleans. She works tirelessly to defend the rights of the people and improve our city. She has had the courage to take on the mayor and his electees to evaluate how appropriately our money is being spent. She has brough to light the fact that the mayor and his elected officials are spending large amounts of our money eating out. These same officals, with the apparent blessing of Mr Nagin, refuse to provide information on how they spend our hard earned money and evan how they are awarding contracts, leaving the perception that there are untoward practices, such as was rife under the previous administration. At a time when confidence in the mayor and his cronies is at a low level,Stacey is a breath of fresh air in a tainted city, working hard to improve and make it great. She is so deserving of this award.
Kathleen Blanco
Although she is now retired, she guided Louisiana through its worst nightmare in history.She deserves “Woman of the Century”.Through this past year, since has shown tremendous dignity as she did during very trying times.
