Featured Photograph: Muriel Boswell Thompson
Carola Lillie Hartley
Publisher and Contributing Writer
As I was going through some of my older files recently, I came across a list of names of fellow citizens who served with me on the Opelousas Tourism and Activities Committee, created by former Mayor John Joseph and the Opelousas City Council thirty years ago in 1987. One of the names that caught my eye was Muriel Thompson. I remember Miss Muriel so well, such a fine lady and a proud Opelousas citizen. She is today’s focus on the Women of Opelousas for this last week of National Women’s History Month.
Muriel Boswell Thompson – She Viewed Life’s Glass as Half Full
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. She went on to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge and furthered her education at the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York, NY, receiving a Master of Arts degree. Following her educational studies, Muriel returned to Opelousas and began her teaching career at Plaisance High School in 1950, where she taught for over thirty years, retiring from that school in 1980.
Muriel was dedicated to her family, her church, her profession and to her community. She was a founding member of the St. Landry Branch of the National Association of University Women (NAUW), established on December 12, 1981. In that organization she served as the group’s first vice-president and second president. She was elected as treasurer of the sectional and national groups of that organization, and was chosen as the NAUW Women of the Year more than one time.
In addition to her work with the NAUW, Muriel was involved in Opelousas and St. Landry Parish in so many other ways throughout her lifetime. She served as president of the St. Landry Association of Retired Teachers and served on the Advisory Board at LSUE. She supported the efforts of the Frontiers International and received a Distinguished Service Citation from that organization.
She was a member and officer of the Opelousas Tourism and Activities Committee from 1987 to 2000, where she worked on so many projects to better her community. She served on committees that helped to create projects such as the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center, Le Vieux Village du Poste de Opelousas, the Opelousas Historic District and Main Street Opelousas, as well as the annual Christmas Decorating Contest, the International Cajun Joke Telling Contest and the Cultural A-Fair at Le Vieux Village, an annual event for a number of years. She was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Opelousas for this work.
Besides her local and state work, Muriel was also involved in national issues. As a result of her efforts, in 1999 Muriel Boswell Thompson was inducted into the National Association of University Women Hall of Fame in Washington, DC. She was the first Louisiana woman to receive this great honor.
She was also very involved in the church where she worshiped –- the church pastored by her father, Rev. Cephas Boswell, for so many years. As a member of the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Muriel taught Sunday school and served as coordinator of Vacation Bible School. She received the “This is Your Life” Award for her hard work and dedication to the church.
In 1950, Muriel married Rev. Woodrow Thompson. The couple had two children, daughter Susie Thompson Wilridge and son Reginald Thompson. They are the grandparents of five.
Muriel died quietly at her home in Opelousas on April 5, 2008. On that day her husband lost a dedicated wife, her children lost a devoted mother and grandmother, and Opelousas lost one of its distinguished citizens who loved her community and was proud to serve it in any way. She was willing to take on any task that meant making her church, her school and her community better. She was a hard worker with a great attitude, and she got things done the right way.
In June of 1997, Stella Thomas interviewed Muriel for an article in the Opelousas Daily World. When asked about her view of life, she replied, “I always view life’s glass as half full.” That truly sums up the person that was Muriel Boswell Thompson.
On the evening of Thursday November 9, 1917, Muriel was inducted into the St. Landry Parish Women Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a proud Opelousas and St. Landry Parish lady.
