2017 Women of Distinction program

2 001177 GGIIRRLL SCOU S C O UTTSS LOU LO UII S IANA I A N A EEA AS S TT

Wofomen

D istinction Luncheon

Monday, May 8, 2017 Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel

Girl Scout Promise

Girl Scout Law

On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Girl Scout Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Dear Friends, It is my pleasure to welcome you to Girl Scouts Louisiana East’s 2017 Women of Distinction event as we honor seven extraordinary women for their accomplishments and dedication to excellence. The women were selected based on their remarkable achievements as business, community, and civic leaders and are positive role models for the girls and women in our communities.

Not every Woman of Distinction was a Girl Scout growing up, but each one has been dedicated to making our community a better place, demonstrating Girl Scout values in all she does.

As today’s event chair assisted by the Women of Distinction committee, it is a privilege to recognize our newest Women of Distinction and to thank them for their leadership and service to others.

Sincerely,

Mary-Patricia Wray Event Chair Girl Scout Alumna and Gold Award Recipient Owner, Top Drawer Strategies, LLC Committee Members Linda Law Clark Partner, DeCuir, Clark & Adams, LLP Bethany France Director, Louisiana A+ Schools, George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts Robyn Merrick Chief of Staff, Southern University, Past Board Chair, Girl Scouts Louisiana East

Wofomen

D istinction H onorees 2017

Sharon Weston Broome Katie Corkern Michelle Forte Kelli Joseph, Ed.D. Artie Lacour (posthumous) Robyn Merrick, Ph.D. Mallory Page

Girl Scouts Louisiana East

Women of Distinction Luncheon Program WELCOME

Mary-Patricia Wray, Event Chair Jacques Rodrigue, Master of Ceremonies

Executive Director, George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts

Flag Ceremony Girl Scout Cadette Troop 10324 Baton Rouge Invocation

Rev. Raymond Jetson Pastor, Star Hill Church Lunch

Award Presentations

Jacques Rodrigue, Master of Ceremonies Request for Support

Linda Law Clark

Closing Remarks

Mary-Patricia Wray

2017

2017

Sharon Weston Broome “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.”

Sharon Weston Broome’s journey as a public servant has spanned for over two decades. Her first step as a councilwoman has led to her election as the first woman elected mayor-president of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish.

Prior to her current post, Broome served as a Louisiana State Representative (District 29) and a Louisiana State Senator (District 15). While in the legislature, she became the first woman to hold the leadership position of Pro Tempore in the House and Senate. She leaves a legacy in the legislature of empowering children, families, and communities through the legislation she authored.

Over the years, Broome has been recognized for her service and leadership by several organizations, including the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition, the American Heart Association, Every Child Matters, and Morehouse College.

With a B.A. in mass communication from the University of WisconsinLacrosse and an M.A. in communications from Regent University, Broome has served as an adjunct instructor at the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Community College, and Southern University. In addition, she was a reporter for five years for WBRZ-TV, the Baton Rouge ABC affiliate.

Faith and family are a priority for Broome. She is a member of Star Hill Church and is happily married to Marvin Broome. They are the proud parents of three children and three grandchildren.

Early in her journey, Broome was cited by the Baton Rouge Business Report as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Women Leading the Way in the Capital City.” Today she continues to lead as she encourages everyone to join her in building a “new Baton Rouge,” a place where people from all walks of life can see and seize positive opportunities.

2017

2017

Kat i e C o r ke r n Katie Corkern lives in Amite, Louisiana with her husband and three sons and is an avid disability rights advocate and leader. She spent the past 10 years as a Special Education teacher, teaching in various classrooms with children of varying exceptionalities. She has also actively advocated at the Louisiana state capital for individuals with developmental disabilities, which ultimately led to her accepting the position of Executive Director at Northshore Families Helping Families in March 2017.

Her passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities began in college and was solidified with the birth of her middle son, Connor. Connor, who is now 10 years old, was born with multiple disabilities including a rare brain malformation, blindness, and uncontrollable seizures. He’s also nonverbal and strictly fed through a feeding tube. Though his diagnoses may seem daunting, Connor has an undeniable joy for life and values his meaningful role in his community. Katie’s strong Catholic faith has allowed her to use her own experiences raising a child with a disability to help and support others walking the same life, and she is never afraid to use her voice for those who have none.

2017

2017

M i c h e l l e Fo r t e Michelle Forte is currently Development Manager, Distinguished Events for the American Cancer Society and serves as race director for several triathlons and road races. She is a three-time Ironman Triathlete and five-time marathon finisher.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Louisiana State University and was the owner of Fleet Feet Sports Baton Rouge for 10 years.

Immediately following the historic flood of 2016, she helped the Baton Rouge community by delivering some 10,000 pairs of shoes for flood victims. For several weeks, Michelle was the liaison between the public and the American Red Cross.

Last fall, she, along with five other women, created BREAC, The Baton Rouge Emergency Aid Coalition, a 501(c)(3) organization. Having a passion for service, Michelle and these women individually worked around the clock in various capacities to serve the community after the flooding that devastated south Louisiana. She and her group soon realized that by combining their service, they could make a more meaningful impact to the Baton Rouge community.

2017

2017

Ke l l i J o s e p h , Ed . D. Dr. Kelli Joseph began her educational journey at Southern University in Baton Rouge and completed her program of study at Southern University in New Orleans, where she majored in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies.

She continued her education and obtained both Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Educational Leadership at Southeastern Louisiana University.

During the course of Kelli’s career as an educator, she served as a middle and high school teacher, where she taught Louisiana History and American History. For several years, she also filled the role as Site Director for the Catholic Charities Summer Witness Camp before becoming an Assistant Principal and later a School Principal in St. John the Baptist Parish. She currently serves as Superintendent of Schools for St. Helena Parish School District, where she has been instrumental in developing a system that has improved educational outcomes for students.

Kelli has enjoyed serving on several External Review Teams since 2007.

Her professional organizations include the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, Louisiana Association of School Executives, Superintendent’s Advisory Council, Louisiana Accountability Commission, Capital Area United Way Board of Directors, CAUW Community Impact Co-Chair, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Court #73.

Described as someone who is always willing to help anyone in need, she puts others first, is active in her church, and her door is always open to meet with any employee, parent, or student.

She is married to Randall Joseph, Sr. and has five children: Kenny, Kayla, Kori, Kyle, and Randi.

2017

2017

A r t h e m i s e “A r t i e ” W. La c o u r The go-to person for helping council leaders address the many integration issues the Baton Rouge Girl Scout council faced 50 years ago, Arthemise “Artie” Lacour is our first Woman of Distinction to be honored posthumously. She was a master of getting things done behind the scenes, and at the same time was recognized by black and white alike as the leader of Girl Scouting in the African-American community. We owe a debt of gratitude for all she did for Girl Scouts, especially for her “Promise in Action” volunteerism, as she helped Baton Rouge Girl Scouts become integrated in the 1960s. She passed away at Arthemise “Artie” Lacour 1917-2013 the age of 96 in 2013.

Born in New Orleans, she attended Xavier University, where she got her degree, joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, and met her husband, Vanue (Van). They were married while living in Washington, D.C., where she earned her Master’s degree in Social Work and he a law degree. After living in Kansas City, they relocated to Baton Rouge, where they became members of the Southern University family with Van as a faculty member of the newly established law school. As a law professor, Van realized he would have the opportunity to develop “social engineers,” who are those who can confront injustices and make positive change.

Artie sought to do the same. In fall 1962, every Girl Scout activity was segregated.

The two council-owned day camp properties were not available for use by the black membership. And African-American girls and their leaders could not troop camp at Camp Marydale or attend resident camp there.

Artie was the primary and ongoing force for change over the years. Her efforts opened the door for the first integrated troop organized at Our Lady of Mercy in 1966 and the first integrated resident camp session at Camp Marydale that same year. She was the first African-American member of the Board of Directors elected in 1967. It is strongly believed that it was because of Artie’s vision, tenacity, leadership, and interpersonal skills that the council had a relatively smooth transition in both corporate leadership and program.

2017

2017

R o by n M e r r i c k , P h . D. Robyn Merrick is Chief of Staff for the Southern University and A&M College System in Baton Rouge.

At Southern, Robyn previously provided leadership for the university’s 90,000 alumni by serving as Director of Alumni Affairs and Executive Director of the Southern University Alumni Federation. Also at Southern, Robyn hosted the University’s radio show, Inside the Southern University System and was the co-editor of the Southern University System Magazine. Through her career in higher education, she has held several administrative positions, such as Director of Public Affairs and Policy Development Coordinator. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy. She has conducted and published research in the areas of women’s studies as it relates to women in government and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Robyn served as Board Chair of Girl Scouts Louisiana East from 2012 to 2016. During her tenure, GSLE embarked upon a major capital outlay plan to fund property improvements to the council’s camps and administrative facilities, launched the inaugural Women of Distinction luncheon, increased engagement with Girl Scout alumnae, and held the Cookies and Cocktails annual fundraiser.

In addition to Girl Scouts, Robyn has served on numerous boards, most recently as chair of the Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and she currently serves on the board of directors for the Volunteers in Public Schools, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, and WRKF Public Radio.

Robyn is committed to public service and volunteerism with more than 35 years of experience working with religious, civic, and nonprofit organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated.

2017

2017

Mallory Pag e Named one of the “Twelve Southern Artists to Buy Now” by Southern Living, artist and author Mallory Page’s work has recently been featured in Traditional Home and other publications, such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor and House Beautiful.

Through the release of her first monograph, “The Alchemy Never Starts or Never Stops,” Page highlights a collection of paintings made while working in her Julia Street Studio located in the Historic New Orleans Arts District.

She creates her mostly monochromatic paintings through the meticulous application of acrylic washes that she drips and brushes across the canvas. Each of these layers adds visual depth, giving her marks a particular vibrancy and life of their own. Mallory is not concerned with depicting a finite object or scene or with aiming for a particular response. Her work is open-ended, and it tests the ways in which we—as artists or viewers—make sense of the world around us through the visual.

A painting is less an answer than a series of questions that may lead us somewhere different every day.

A graduate of LSU with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design and a minor in Architecture History, Mallory says she is a self taught painter, mostly getting influence from extensive travel, having an artist mother, and seeing every museum show possible.

She is currently preparing for the launch of a new candle collection that translates her use of environmental color sensory with artwork into ambiance with scent. She is also painting her first solo museum show titled The Garden of Ambition for the Longview Museum of Art, which will open in October 2017.

Mallory currently lives in New Orleans and works in her Madisonville studio, a painter’s sanctuary she and her husband, Jacques Rodrigue, named Villa Venus.

Wofomen

D istinction H onorees PA S T

Peggy Armstrong

Myrle LeBlanc

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco

Helen Loos

Brenda Babin, Ph.D.

Genny May

KiKi Baker Barnes

Nell McAnelly

Mary Jane Becker

Andrea P. McKey

Margaret J. Beckwith

Marguerite Redwine

Gayle Benson

Anne Roberts

Mae Calvin-Belton

Sally-Ann Roberts

Janice Carpenter

Julie Rose, Ph.D.

Linda Law Clark

Karen St. Cyr

Jacquelyn Daniels

Julie Skinner Stokes

Betty Dixon

Ann Forte Trappey

Nikki Fargas

Christy Valentine, M.D.

Mionne LaShe Gooch

Jacqueline Vines-Wyatt

Sheila Smith Kimbro

Margie Loud Zeno

Betty Lauricella

Board of Directors office r s Joan Mollohan, Chair Lyndia M. G. Jones, First Vice Chair Veronica Osby, Second Vice Chair Jameeta Youngblood, Secretary Kelly McKinney, Treasurer Jacqueline Alexander, Chief Executive Officer

M embe r s - at - l a r g e

Dr. Allison Augustus-Wallace Brett Bonin Theresa Crosby Jacquelyn S. Daniels Terrie Guerin Rachel Van Voorhees Kirschman Nicole Learson Julie LeBlanc Juana Marine-Lombard

Criketa Matlock Robyn Merrick Erica A. Murray Cyndi Nguyen Patrick L. North Maurice Sholas Raquel Square-Ayles Betsy Stoner Darnell Waites

B o a r d d e v elopme n t commi t t ee

Betsy Stoner, Chair Lee Gary Jr. Brett Bonin Yolanda Jenkins Timolynn Sams Jacqueline Alexander, Chief Executive Officer

A special thank you to our event sponsors whose financial support helped to ensure the success of this luncheon.

Sponsors

Linda Law Clark

Jackie Daniels

And a special thank you to Master of Ceremonies, Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director, Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, and supporters.

Girl Scouts Louisiana East www.gsle.org • 800-644-7571

Headquarters

841 S. Clearview Parkway New Orleans, LA 70121 504-733-8220

Regional Service Center

545 Colonial Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225-927-8946