Shirley A. Hawkins Non-profit Shirley  Hawkins  is  not  your  typical  secretary,  she  is  a  mentor  and  an  inspiration.  Her  soft  spoken  words  of  encouragement  help  build  the  confidence  of  the  numerous  participants  in  the  nine  Women  of  Wisdom  Ministries  programs.  Just  recently  she  encouraged  a  mother  of  two  to  return  to  school  for  her  nursing  degree,  even  offering  to  watch  the  children  in  the  evening.  Her  selfless- ( ,, #, - ,- ' (- ) 0)' (7, ,-+ (!-" )+ -"+ 2 +, ," *.- " + &# )( ")& -) - ( -) " + ,#,- + -" - 0 , # !(), 0#-" ( + - + " + ,#,- +7, * ,,#(! ," ' ,#(!& ')' 2 taking  in  her  nieces  and  nephews.  Throughout  this  time,  Shirley  continued  her  work  with  the  Ministry.  Shirley  is  often  contacted  for  a  reference  for  those  whom  she  has  motivated  to  return  to  , "))& )+ , % -- + $) " &&, , +/ , ,#'*& + '#( +, ) -" &#/ , ," 7, -). " , (2 thing  but  a  typical  secretary.    Connie L. Shakesnider Non-profit Opelousas  native  Connie  Shakesnider  has  the  heart  of  a  true  servant.  She  is  the  creator  and   organizer  of  an  annual  meal  for  the  elderly  and  disabled  individuals  that  reside  at  a  local   ").,#(! / &)*' (- )0 #( #-7, # -" 2 + )((# " , )/ + * )*& #( * &)., , -" - &#/ on  bare  minimum,  many  without  family  to  assist  them.  Using  her  own  resources,  along  with  help  from  friends  and  family,  Connie  has  brought  the  importance  of  taking  care  of  the  elderly  and   handicap  to  the  forefront  of  the  Opelousas  community.  She  advocates  for  the  less  fortunate  by   encouraging  others  to  become  involved  in  the  community,  including  the  Opelousas  Police   Department,  MedExpress  and  area  students.  While  her  meals  provide  nourishment  to  the  less   fortunate,  the  example  she  sets  provides  her  community  with  food  for  the  soul. Â
Maria Placer Public Service Maria  Placer  is  best  known  as  the  first  female  news  anchor  in  southwest  Louisiana  and  the  first  female  television  news  director  on  the  Gulf  Coast.  As  a  pioneer  in  the  industry  she  knew  the  importance  of  harnessing  the  media  in  order  to  bring  community  issues  to  light.  In  1982,  she  & .( " 5 ( , 27, "#& 6 + !.& +&2-Âscheduled  program  aimed  at  finding  homes  for  children  released  for  adoption.  She  is  a  founding  member  of  the  Acadiana  Chapter  of  Big  Brothers4  Big  Sisters  and  continues  to  participate  in  a  number  of  community  and  state   )+! (#3 -#)(, +# 0 , * +- ) -" )+' -#)( ) 5 ( + !( ( 2 + / (-#)( ,% )+ 6 which  has  since  gone  statewide.  She  works  tirelessly  to  bring  awareness  to  help  the  plights  of  children,  making  her  name  synonymous  with  child  advocacy.  Her  current  position  as   Exective  Director  of  232-ÂHELP  is  a  perfect  example  of  her  devotion  to  the  needs  of  others.  She  is  regarded  as  a  Living  Legend  in  the  Acadiana  community,  inspiring  others  as  a   public  servant. Â
Breanne Sargent Public Service There  is  something  to  be  said  for  the  woman  whose  talent  lies  in  encouraging  others,  especially  when  that  encouragement  leads  to  a  better  future  for  our  children.  For  Bree  Sargent,  having  an   **+ # -#)( ) -" +-, #,(7- ().!" -) ,. #( " + +)& , . -#)( #+ -)+ ) # ( (- + for  the  Arts.  One  must  have  an  understanding  of  the  artist  themselves,  in  order  to  truly  be  effective.  While  she  may  not  fancy  herself  an  artist,  her  contributions  have  certainly  created  a  vast  mosaic  of  )**)+-.(#-2 )+ . -)+, +-#,-, ( "#& + ( #( ).+ )''.(#-2 + 7, "#(! +-#,-, #( "))&, Program  has  opened  doors  for  people  of  all  walks  of  life  by  demonstrating  that  art  is  an  essential  part  of  all  of  us.  Her  work  with  The  Kennedy  Center  and  agencies  across  the  state  have  been   recognized  as  groundbreaking.  It  is  no  wonder  that  ACA  has  had  success  with  integrating  art  in   . -#)( + 7, (-".,# ,' #, )(- !#)., ( " + ,'#& 4  encouraging. Â
Marilyn S. Arton, RN Non-profit / + -" * ,- 2 +, +#&2( +-)( " , )' %()0( , 5 #1-.+ 6 - )( ) -" '),- -+2#(! ( rewarding  professions4  ),*# .+, ( ," ' -" /)# ) -" + 7, )(&2 ()(-Âprofit  hos- pice  provider,  Hospice  of  Acadiana.  With  her  calm  disposition  and  gentle  voice,   families  are  soon  put  at  ease  as  she  provides  them  with  the  encouragement  and  knowledge  they  seek  so  that  they  may  continue  to  make  the  best  decisions  for  their  loved  ones.  It  is  with  that  same  demeanor  that  she  has  inadvertently  developed  her  co-Âworkers  into  the  most  knowledgeable  staff  in  end  of  life  care  today.  As  one  of  the   founding  members  of  the  Esprit  Du  Coeur  Chapter  of  the  Louisiana  Hospice  and  Palliative  Care  Nurses  Organization  in  2009,  Marilyn  saw  the  need  of  a  support  group  for  the  nurses  who  care  for  the  needs  of  the  families  at  the  end  of  life.  Her  contributions  to  the  families,   * -# (-, ( ' # & )''.(#-2 " / !#/ ( ,-+ (!-" -) )( ) # ( 7, )& ,- ()(-Âprofits,  allowing Â
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