Creole Summer Enrichment Program continues the legacy of passing down generations of skills to young apprentices.
Women in History
Women of Opelousas – Mamie Camella “Cam” Johnson Leach
Opelousas lost a good citizen in September of 2003 when Cam Leach passed away. I knew Cam and considered her a good friend.
Women of Opelousas – Susan Evangeline Walker Anding
As this year’s National Women’s History Month comes to an end, we share the story of a very special Opelousas woman, one who did great things for the town, the parish, the state and the country.
Women of Opelousas – Marie Magdalena Esprit/Lemelle Simien
As a Free Woman of Color, Marie Magdalena Esprit/Lemelle Simien played an important role in the story of Opelousas, St. Landry Parish and Louisiana.
Women of Opelousas – Muriel Boswell Thompson
Born on August 30, 1929, Muriel was the daughter of Rev. Cephas and Amelia Boswell. Growing up in Opelousas, she attended the St. Landry Training School, graduating from there with honors.
The Women of Opelousas – Edith Garland Dupré
Continuing with our articles on the Women of Opelousas for National Women’s History Month, today’s story focuses on a special woman from our city who made a big difference in higher education in our state.
Women of Opelousas – Marian Rose Smith
As we continue the series on the Women of Opelousas, today we share the story of a local nurse who served the Opelousas community for many years. Her name was Marian Rose Smith.
Women of Opelousas – Mary Maxine Wyble Morgan
Women of Opelousas focus on Mary Maxine Wyble Morgan, an amazing woman who left us way too soon. This is her story.
Women of Opelousas – Dorothy Mornhinveg Laas
During the mid 1800s to early 1900s Mrs. Dorothy Mornhinveg Laas.was among the most successful business owners in Opelousas.
Opelousas Woman’s Club Celebrates National Women’s History Month
The Opelousas Woman’s Club, the oldest women’s organization in Opelousas, celebrated National Women’s History Month with an Open House, held at the groups club house on Bellevue Street last Thursday evening.
Women of Opelousas – Mrs. Helena (Helen) Roberts Donato
As we continue with our series on the Women of Opelousas during this National Women’s History Month, today we focus on one of the pioneer educators in Opelousas and St. Landry Parish.
Women of Opelousas – Agatha Dupre Lafleur
As we continue with stories about the amazing women of Opelousas for National Women’s History Month, today I want to share the story of a woman who is so special to me. My grandmother, Agatha Dupre Lafleur.
Women of Opelousas – Women’s Right to Vote in Opelousas
Women in Opelousas voted for the first time in 1920. The voting precinct was at the Opelousas Town Market on the corner of Bellevue and Market streets, on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square (today that building is called the Old City Hall).
Women of Opelousas – Helen Selina Lewis King
As we continue to celebrate the women of Opelousas during National Women’s History Month, today we focus of a woman from the 19th century.
Women of Opelousas – Effie Dimmick Hollier
This week, on Thursday, March 16th the Opelousas Woman’s Club is holding a celebration for National Women’s History Month, a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. One of those who did just that in Opelousas was Effie Dimmick Hollier, the first president of the Opelousas Woman’s Club. This is her story.
Women of Opelousas – Rachel Fergerson Gradenigo
During colonial times women in Louisiana had more rights than women in other areas of the US.
Women of Opelousas – Barbara Ann Giesen Perrault
As we celebrate National Women’s History Month this year, we want to remember a special woman of Opelousas who did so much for the community and the parish.
Women of Opelousas – Manon Baldwin
March is National Women’s History Month. During this month St. Landry Now will publish tidbits of history on the amazing women of Opelousas and St. Landry Parish. Today the focus is on Manon Baldwin, an early Opelousas businesswoman who has a corner in the heart of the old village named for her.
Mayor Alsandor Presents Opelousas Woman’s Club A Proclaimation For National Women’s History Month
Mayor Julius Alsandor presented members of the Opelousas Woman’s Club with a Proclamation for National Women’s History Month and acknowledging the contributions that OWC has made in our the history of our community. Pictured Left to right: Sylvia Chauvin, Sarah Branton, Diane Gallagher, Mayor Alsandor, Wanda Juneau, Susan Litton. (Submitted Photograph.)
Opelousas Woman’s Club Celebrating Women’s History Month in March
No organization in Opelousas has more to celebration than the GFWC Opelousas Woman’s Club. And they intend to celebrate Women’s History Month in a special way.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling — Judith Estorge Is Lafayette’s First Woman Chief of Police
Lafayette Mayor President Josh Guillory introduced Judith Estorge as the city’s new Police Chief on Friday at a press conference held at the department. Chief Estorge is the first woman to have that position in Lafayette, LA.
The Tourist Court on West Landry Street
What most people in Opelousas know as Pap’s Motel, was opened on West Landry Street in Opelousas in 1956. But there is so much more to the story of that tourist court and the couple who established the business.
Photo From The Past – 1961 Swimsuit Style Show in Opelousas
The Opelousas Civic League and Abdalla’s Department Show held a unique style show at the Indian Hills Country Club in Opelousas on April 11, 1961. What made it unique were the fashions that were modeled.
Photo from the Past – Young Ladies in Opelousas at Turn of 20th Century
CAROLA LILLIE HARTLEYPublisher and Contributing Writer This photograph from a publication around the turn of the 20th century, shows five popular young women in Opelousas at that time. In the photo is Mamie Lastrapes, center; Ada Sandoz, top right; Olympia Laas, top left; Mattye Curtis, bottom left; and Lucille Lacombe, bottom right.
Remembering Enola Prudhomme Prather
Enola Prudhomme, the daughter of Eli Prudhomme and Hazel Reed Prudhomme, was born in St. Landry Parish on January 1, 1932. The date of her birth was a sign of the things Enola would do during her life. She was a go-getter, and a starter. Just as January 1, 1932 was the beginning of a new year, the birth of Enola Prudhomme on that date was the beginning of a new chapter in the culinary history of Opelousas and St. Landry Parish.
Angela Gregory Documentary Premieres Tomorrow Evening on LPB.
Angela Gregory: A Legacy Chiseled in Stone – Louisiana Public Broadcast (LPB) – Monday, August 22, 2022 at 7:00 PM.
This Week — Over the Years
From the two centuries of newspapers in Opelousas during this week of August, over the years …
Angela Gregory Story to be Aired on Louisiana Public Broadcast (LPB)
The life of Louisiana Sculptor Angela Gregory to be presented on LPB. Gregory did the artwork on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse in downtown Opelousas. Click on the flyer to learn more.
Photo from the Past – Shopping in Washington, LA c.1908-1915
This photo from the past shows a group of young ladies enjoying themselves on Main Street in Washington over a century ago.
David Sweatt and Family, Traveling in Wagon Pulled from Texas to Louisiana, Stop in Opelousas for Baby’s Birth in 1938
73-year-old David Sweatt, a carpenter from Brownsville, Texas, with daughter walking at his side, is shown pulling their wagon loaded with his wife and other four children on c. May 9, 1938. The family is pictured as they leave Opelousas following a ten day stay in town while Mrs. Sweatt gave birth to a baby daughter.
Photo from the Past – Blackshear’s Store Interior
Opelousas Women in Business: From 1902 to about 1915, the family of Patton Taylor Blackshear, known as P. T., operated a mercantile store in the building that once housed the business of Christopher Dietlein.
Angela Gregory’s Contribution to Downtown Opelousas
Have you ever entered the St. Landry Parish Courthouse from Court Street?
International Women’s Day
March is Women’s History Month, and today, March 8, 2022, is International Women’s Day. We celebrate the amazing women of Opelousas and St. Landry Parish, and all their achievements throughout our history. Enjoy your day!
Who Are You? What Building Is This? Where Is This Located?
t seems people today are interested in history and stories of the past.
Tidbit of Opelousas History – Mrs. J. A. Delaurelle and Mrs. A. Traber Renaud
Continuing to focus on the women of Opelousas and St. Landry Parish during National Women’s History month, today we share information on two more women in our history – Mrs. J. A. Delaurelle, and Miss A. Traber Renaud.
Tidbits of Opelousas History – Education Pioneer Mrs. Helen Roberts Donato
Since 1987 the month of March has been designated as National Women’s History month.