“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”
During the month of March, the Atchafalaya NHA joins organizations and individuals across the US in celebrating Women’s History Month. While we strive to do this the whole year through, this is a time we specifically dedicated to commemorating and encouraging the study, observance, and celebration of women and their accomplishments throughout American history.
Among the great achievers in our country’s history, there are many who hail from Louisiana or who made their home here in this wonderful state. With much difficulty, I chose just a few to highlight here, but I encourage you to jump down that rabbit hole of knowledge and learn about as many of these amazing women as you can. They are truly awe-inspiring.
Our first power woman is none other than Ms. Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans and beacon of mesmerizing hope for the music world. She did not set out to have a career in music. Instead, Thomas says music simply continued to find her. Her early years showed her the hardships of life - a young, single mother who just wanted to make a good life for her family and herself. Through dedication, perseverance, and a special spark of undeniable talent, Thomas forged her name and voice in fire and has cemented it into the hearts of music lovers the world over.
Lindy Boggs was the first woman from Louisiana elected to Congress. Among her many feats in and out of office, Boggs played a key role in ending discrimination against women seeking access to credit. She would often say that a little Southern Charm could go a long way. She certainly had a talent for combining charm with diamond sharp wit and an equally sharp will to see changes made in the world.
Clyde Connell is remembered as an incredible artist and passionate Civil Rights activist. Born in Belcher, Louisiana in 1901, Connell grew up in the heart of the South and drew inspiration from her natural environment and socio-cultural conditions of the time to produce magnificent sculptures that often reflected the tension and changes of the times. Connell’s belief of social equality drew her into the life of an activist - a path she remained enduringly committed to both in and outside of her studio. Although she didn’t find national acclaim for her work until later in life, Connell went on to be honored by the Women’s Caucus for Art in 1984 (one of only six women!) and was named a Louisiana Legend in 1998 by the state.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of women from our history, let us also recognize the history that is being made right now, all around us. For over a decade, Baton Rouge has been home to an entire organization of powerful, record-breaking women. Red Stick Roller Derby is a competitive roller derby league that sits at the top of the rankings for our state and 85th in the world – having skyrocketed an average of 20 ranking spots every year for the majority of their tenure. These women continue to dedicate themselves to a sport that tests their minds, bodies, and even their spirits. In addition to being talented athletes, the members of Red Stick Roller Derby are teachers, medical professionals, scholars, engineers, mothers, authors, students, and so much more. It doesn’t end there. They use their sport to motivate and help their community by volunteering all over the city. You can find them skating in our festival parades, cheering fellow athletes on during marathons and fun runs. You can even find them helping other organizations at fundraisers and events. Red Stick Roller Derby embodies the belief that by raising each other up, we can all achieve greatness.
The women featured here in our humble blog do not just sit idly in their profession, hobby, or craft. They are all role models for our future generations just as they were inspired by the women who came before them. As Kristen Hubby wrote in her tribute article in 2017, “From fighting for the right to legal, safe abortions to ending segregation, women have worked tirelessly to ensure that equality is something that isn’t just afforded to the ruling classes.”
This is a timeless endeavor, one that has spanned centuries, and the fight continues ever onward. Truly, one month is not enough to appreciate how our state and our country have been shaped by the power and ingenuity of women, but perhaps this one month will catalyze lifetimes of action.
From ANHA to you, reader, may the rest of your March be filled with inspiration, sunshine, and the sweet beginnings of spring in the Atchafalaya.
