Wednesday, September 14, 2011
**Annual luncheon celebrates women who drive Acadiana's success today and those who blazed the trail for current leaders.
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IberiaBank's Jerry Vascocu
The roster of honorees who will receive the 2011 Women Who Mean Business Award was announced recently in a cover story in ABiz, sister publication of The Independent. The group, which will be recognized at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 22, at River Oaks Catering & Event Center, includes Lourdes' Director of Community Relations Elisabeth Arnold, former Louisiana Teacher of the Year and BESE candidate Holly Boffy, distinguished educator Dolores Cormier-Zenon, award-winning marketing executive and retailer Kiki Frayard, JohnPac CEO Mary Ellen Henry, respected real estate veteran Barbara Rogers, Veteran's Administration outpatient nursing manager Dr. Geralyn Shelvin, and the women who produce Lafayette's largest annual festival - Festival International de Louisiane - Dana Baker, Lisa Stafford and Anne Darrah. Sally Ware, who will retire this fall after a sold-out LAGCOE show in October, will receive the 2011 Trailblazer Award. She has worked for almost 32 years to help build the Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition into one of the largest petroleum industry conferences in the country.
Profiles of each WWMB honoree are available in the current issue of ABiz, which can be found in racks throughout Lafayette and Iberia parishes. The issue is also available online at www.acadianabusiness.com.
Each honoree will receive a custom-designed silver charm bracelet from Paul's Jewelry.
IberiaBank returns as presenting sponsor for the luncheon that honors these women, one of the most popular that ABiz produces. "We look forward to this event every year and are proud to play a lead role in recognizing women who have made and continue to make a difference in our community every day," says Jerry Vascocu, Lafayette president for IberiaBank. "We are truly inspired by these innovative women who raise the bar of performance in their personal and professional lives."
Courtesy Automotive Group returns as supporting sponsor for this event. In addition to a dazzling car display at the entrance, Courtesy will feature drawings for a pair of tickets to a Saints home game and week-long joy ride in a gleaming new Lincoln MKX.
Other sustaining sponsors for the event are Dr. Ken Odinet, River Oaks and La Mode Shoes. Tickets are $35 each or $320 for reserved tables of eight. For more information, contact Robin Hebert by Friday, Sept. 16, at 337-769-8603 or by email: [email protected], or go to www.theind.com and click on INDevents.