Each year a handful of women is inducted into the Louisiana Center for Women and Government’s Hall of Fame. And later this month, Cherry Fisher May, The Ind’s publisher, will be recognized alongside the hall-of-famers with the Blue Ribbon Award. This honor is bestowed upon a person, group or organization that has shown extraordinary effort or achievement in raising the public’s awareness of issues or problems concerning women or government.
The Louisiana Center for Women and Government was established in 1991 and is headquartered at Nicholls State University. It encourages and promotes the leadership of women by providing resources and non-partisan support through educational workshops, training seminars and outreach programs. With more than 600 members from eight regions across the state, the center promotes women in government and public service, acknowledges achievements of women and teaches all citizens about the importance of public service and responsible citizenship.
The 2009 ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside, beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by the lunch and awards presentation at noon. The keynote address will be delivered by the politically divided – yet matrimonially united – James Carville and Mary Matalin, two of the nation’s most respected political consultants. Hall of Famee inductees include Phyllis Mayo, special assistant to Gov. Bobby Jindal; Anne Milling, founder of Women of the Storm; Lily B. Moskal, founder of Success Seminars; and Rosemary Ewing, a well-known preservationist. The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Mildred Fossier, New Orleans’ first female city director. For additional details, including ticket information, call the center at (985) 448-4770.