OUR INAUGURAL EDITION THAT TELLS UNIQUE STORIES AND HOW LOCAL WOMEN HAVE ACHIEVED AND GIVEN BACK TO THE COMMUNITY! - A Supplement of the Ruston ...
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OUR INAUGURAL EDITION THAT TELLS UNIQUE STORIES AND HOW LOCAL
WOMEN HAVE ACHIEVED AND GIVEN BACK TO THE COMMUNITY!
A Supplement of the Ruston Daily Leader | February 2022
2 • NEWS ON WOMEN RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022
A Timeline of Milestones
in U.S. Women’s History
1848 - The first women’s rights convention, the Seneca Falls Convention, is
held in New York, where 300 women and men sign the Declaration of Sentiments
in a plea to end discrimination against women.
1848 - The Married Woman’s Property Act is passed in New York, enabling
married women to conduct business on their own, file lawsuits on their own
behalf, collect rents and receive inheritances.
1860 - The Act Concerning the Rights and Liabilities of Husband and Wife is
passed in New York, paving the way for other states. It acknowledges “mothers
as joint guardians of their children,” granting married women the same legal
authority over their own sons and daughters as fathers.
1869 - Wyoming, a territory at the time, becomes the first state to grant
women the right to vote in all elections.
1869 - Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National
Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA).
1872 - Victoria Claflin Woodhull becomes the first female U.S. presidential
candidate.
1872 - Equal pay for equal work under the law is guaranteed to federal, but
not private sector, employees.
1919 - The First Woman’s Bank of Tennessee opens as the first bank to be
directed, managed and staffed entirely by women. The bank welcomes deposits
from men and women, although its shareholders are male.
1919 - Congress passes the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
1920 - The 19th Amendment is ratified by 36 states and becomes law, ensuring
that the right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of sex.
1938 - The Fair Labor Standards Act establishes a federal minimum wage to
eliminate pay differences between men and women for hourly jobs.
1948 - The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act allows women to serve
as full, permanent members of all of the branches of the U.S. military.
1963 - The Equal Pay Act is passed, protecting all workers against
discrimination in pay rates.
1974 - The Equal Credit Opportunity Act is passed, prohibiting credit
discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital
status, age or receipt of public assistance. Prior to its passage, banks required
male cosigners on credit applications from single, widowed or divorced women,
regardless of income.
1974 - The Fair Housing Act is amended to prohibit housing discrimination
on the basis of sex.
1978 - The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is passed, making it illegal for
employers to dismiss women from their jobs for becoming pregnant.
1981 - Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first woman to serve on the U.S.
Supreme Court.
1993 - The Family and Medical Leave Act becomes law.
1994 - The Gender Equity in Education Act is passed to train teachers in
gender equity, promote math and science learning by girls, counsel pregnant
teens and prevent sexual harassment.
1994 - The Violence Against Women Act funds services, resources and rights
for rape and domestic violence victims.
2007 - Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female Speaker of the United States
House of Representatives.
2016 - The Department of Defense opens all military combat positions to
women for the first time.
RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022 NEWS ON WOMEN • 3
Laborde and Kola’s journey
as partners against crime
By Nancy Bergeron way past the sun had set we would train with
the dogs, building that bond,” Laborde said.
Hannah Laborde is living her dream. For as Bull was given medical retirement in the
long as she can remember, she wanted to be a summer of 2020. He’s still part of Laborde’s
police officer. But more than that, she wanted family, as is Kola, Laborde’s current partner.
to be a K9 officer. Kola, a Dutch shepherd, is RPD’s first
Laborde achieved her goals in short order. female K9. Like Laborde, Kola is a police
The 29-year-old Calhoun native is not only the officer. At 3 years old, Kola’s still considered a
Ruston Police Department’s first female K9 young dog.
officer, but also the first female K9 officer in “She’s got some spunk. She keeps me on
Lincoln Parish. my toes. She’s an amazing dog,” Laborde said.
Being a K9 officer merges Laborde’s desire “She’s there for backup. She is my backup.”
to help people with her fondness for dogs. Among other tasks, Kola does narcotics
“I absolutely love it. There’s something searches, building searches and can track
new every day,” Laborde said, during a individuals in open or wooded areas.
short break in her 12-hour shift. “She knows before I know if
“We answer calls to service all there’s anybody there,” Laborde
day, every day. When we’re said. “It’s nice to have that alert
not answering calls, we’re at your side.”
training.” Kola can also keep a suspect
As RPD’s only K9 officer, inside a house or building at
Laborde and her canine partner, bay until human officers go in.
Kola, are on call 24/7. Laborde’s Although Kola has a bullet-proof
police SUV is outfitted with vest, Laborde won’t send her
a special kennel for Kola, into a live-fire situation or
and kept at a comfortable 73 situations in which they know
degrees Fahrenheit any time a suspect is armed.
Kola is on board. Kola also helps with crowd
She credits her paternal control.
grandfather, the late Don Laborde, “Once I get her out of the car, it
with shaping her life. seems to calm everybody down real
“He influenced me to be a good person quick,” Laborde said. “She definitely makes
and help where I can. He’s the one who led me an impact when she starts barking.”
be the person I am today,” she said. Police K9s are an investment. The dogs
Following graduation from Bossier alone can cost $15,000 or more. RPD pays for
Parish Community College, Laborde joined Kola’s food, veterinary bills and anything
the University of Louisiana-Monroe police else she needs to do her job. Laborde said the
department in 2013. Three years later, she investment is worth it for the community.
joined RPD, starting in basic patrol. “In the long run, with all the drugs we get
After two years, she made the department’s off the street, all of things we do, the dogs are
SWAT team. Next began her quest to be a K-9 invaluable,” she said.
officer. Near the end of 2019, Laborde got her The bond between Laborde and Bull and
first K9, a Belgian manilois named Bull. Laborde and Kola runs deep.
Both the human officers and the K-9s go “They picked me out and I’m grateful for Photos by NANCY BERGERON
through extensive training, including five both of them,” she said. “We’ll put our dog’s Ruston Police Department K9 officer Hannah
weeks together as dog and handler. life over ours because they would do the same Laborde enjoys time with “Kola,” her canine
“From the beginning of the morning until for us, 100%.” partner.
4 • NEWS ON WOMEN RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022
Newman, a role model for women in
TE Y EN G M
AT
S
S CIE N C E CHNOLOG GIN E E RIN H E M AT I C
By Cathi Cox-Boniol she would ultimately end up leaving that notion in never become a doctor. Instead, she applied
her rear view. for a summer research program at Amherst
You like biology. You become a doctor. “A great teacher invited me to join a DNA College where she was a student and joined an
club after school and I got to visualize DNA immunology lab. That experience changed her
For Jamie Newman, Associate Professor
on an agarose gel like you see in those crime life and she went on to earn a BA in biology at
and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate shows,” Newman said. “I knew I needed to pursue Amherst.
Studies in the College of Applied and Natural science.” Yet uncertain of what it meant to be a scientist
Sciences at Louisiana Tech University, that Of course, Newman never really liked blood or pursue a career in research, Newman then took
equation seemed to sum up her future. However, or needles so at some level she knew she would two years off to work as a laboratory technician
before going on to attain her PhD from MIT.
However, the challenges were just beginning.
“I was in graduate school when I met my
husband,” Newman recalled. “He was finishing
his PhD in chemical engineering at MIT while I
was beginning mine in biology. He then started
working at Louisiana Tech while I stayed in
Boston for three more years to finish my degree.”
Originally a “Valley Girl” from California,
Newman had never heard of Ruston. Her father
thought his children needed a different experience
from Los Angeles so they all went away for
college. According to Newman, her father thought
that would all move back to L.A. at some point but
only her sister made it home.
“I’ve been told I ended up in the ‘other’ LA,”
Newman laughed.
Unsure of what she might do when she got
to Ruston, Newman ended up commuting to
Shreveport every day to work at LSU Health. She
noted the difficulty of the year, moving to a new
city, barely seeing her new husband, and spending
nights in Shreveport to keep up with her research.
When she did quit, she struggled to find a job, even
working at The Fashion of Ruston while doing lab
work at Tech. Then a position opened up in the
School of Biological Science and she jumped at it.
“I started as an Assistant Professor in
September 2013 and was promoted to Associate
Professor and Associate Dean for Research &
Leader photo by Cathi Cox-Boniol Graduate Studies in September 2019,” Newman
Jamie Newman (right) collaborates with Nick Bustamante (left) in preparation for a presentation on said. “Now I regularly teach Graduate Research
The VISTA Center during the 2022 LaSTEM Summit held in Baton Rouge. Methods, Bioethics, and some special electives
RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022 NEWS ON WOMEN • 5
Here’s
“So, I have embraced that
responsibility and only hope I
am doing well in representing,
advocating for, and encouraging t o strong
the next generation of women
and all people in Stem.” women
— JAMIE NEWMAN, Assoc. Professor & Assoc. Dean for
Research & Graduate Studies in the College of Applied & May we know them.
Natural Sciences at Louisiana Tech University
including Science and Humanity where we read books about current topics
May we be them.
in biology and how they impact society.”
Along the way, Newman collaborated with Nick Bustamante and Mary May we raise them.
Caldorera-Moore to establish The VISTA (Visual Integration of Science
Through Art) Center. The program offers two interdisciplinary minors—Pre-
Medical Illustration and Scientific Visualization — where faculty from art,
biology and biomedical engineering work together to offer students a unique
opportunity to communicate science through art.
“The VISTA Center has been an amazing journey,” Newman
said. “Visual aids in science are critical to sharing research and helping
people understand the work that we do. Creating academic programs and
opportunities for students who are interested in art and science has been
one of my greatest joys and watching students find their passion is just an
amazing opportunity.”
Newman loves the interactions with students. She knew she wanted a job
at a smaller university where she could use a research lab to give students
the type of opportunity she had in college and help some find their passion
for research.
She also knew she wanted to be somewhere where she could teach smaller Skip Russell Missy Russell Gibbons
classes and really get to know the students. It is within this realm that Agent Agency Manager
Newman has taken on a more significant role with promoting women in
STEM so they can do what makes them happy, find their passion and be true
to who they are in pursuing that. Women pay less on average for life insurance
“I will admit that until recently I never thought much about being a than men. Anyone with dependents or
woman in STEM,” Newman, a mother of two, said. “I mean I knew I was one
and that presented challenges, but I think I didn’t know what to do about it so financial obligations needs life insurance.
I kept my head down and did what I did.
“What I have found in recent years is the concern our students have Call us for a FREE quote.
about being women in STEM. That they are looking for a role model and
understand how you can be the woman you want to be — a partner, a
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parent, a scientist, a professional, and maintain an identity as a woman,”
she continued. “I think there is more comfort in having those conversations
and the more we talk about it, the more we all bring our whole selves to
what we do, the better things will continue to get. So, I have embraced that
responsibility and only hope I am doing well in representing, advocating for, 105 E Reynolds Dr | Ruston, LA | 318-255-5050
and encouraging the next generation of women and all people in STEM.”
6 • NEWS ON WOMEN RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022
Potter’s persistent fight for
mental health
By Jessieca Carr Ruston area, Danita Potter of University with a Bachelor Sims-Muhammad, Angelafaye
Reframing for Life is serving the of Science in Nursing, Alcorn Sims, and Pamela Simmons of
As society enters the third community as a mental health State with a Master of Science Northwestern State University
year of COVID, mental professional and professor in in Nursing, Hampton University as influences in her work and
health has been placed higher education. with a Doctor of Philosophy in practice.
center stage as more Potter, a Nursing, and Northwestern State Even with many mentors
studies emerge Monroe native, University with a Post-Master’s in the field Potter still faced
about the effects has over 25 Certificate in Psychiatric Mental adversity. As a woman in the
of prolonged years of Health Nurse Practitioner. With field, she talked about how
quarantining nursing and degrees in hand, Potter said she finding a balance between
on the world. healthcare set out to be a psychiatric nurse work and home was a constant
There are experience to be an advocate for those who struggle.
professionals and 19 suffer. Potter said her husband,
in the area years as “I set out to pursue this much Dexter Potter, was always a
who serve a nursing needed certification advocating supportive friend. The couple’s
the need and professor for persons with mental illnesses four children, Dakena (Potter)
advocate for and leader and their families,” said Potter. Nelson, Danielle Potter, Dexter
those suffering in higher “My belief in human caring.” Potter Jr. and Dominique
from mental education. She It is with that dedication she Potter watched their mother
issues. graduated from approaches each of her clients. as she climbed the ranks and
In the Grambling A woman in the psychiatric field achieved many of her accolades.
State isn’t unheard of but, someone Another strong support for her
with the level of expertise was her mother-in-law, Martha
Potter has achieved. She said Potter, who has encouraged her
there have been women along throughout her career.
the way who have inspired her “As a mother of four children,
journey. Many of them were it was always challenging
professors and nursing leaders managing the work-life balance,”
in academia. Potter said. “Many opportunities
She pointed to Bernadine to be a great nurse and educator
Adams and Florencetta Gibson but often times, we don’t get the
of the UL- Monroe, and Toni same number of opportunities to
DANITA POTTER
RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022 NEWS ON WOMEN • 7
be a great parent.”
Potter said she overcame
her obstacles by keeping the
mindset of pushing through
and not allowing problems
to be permanent barriers to
achieving success. With that
mindset, Potter has been
using her platform to be a
mentor to minority women and
men in nursing practice and
nursing education. She is an
international nurse leader for
Sigma Theta Tau International
Honor Society of Nursing,
the second largest nursing
organization in the world.
“I believe in mentoring
minority women and men in
nursing practice and nursing
education,” said Potter. “We
need both in large numbers to
return to their communities of
color and make a positive impact
with their education.” Submitted photo
Potter has a goal to open Danita Potter is immersed in her work at her office at Reframing for Life.
an Autism Spectrum Clinic
to provide psychiatric and
mental health services to
the underserved citizens of
Louisiana. She said through her
practice she hopes to care for 2000 E Kentucky Ave
those requiring mental health Ruston, LA 71270
services and to provide optimal Woman Owned Business
therapeutic evaluations.
Potter plans to help students
with their clinical needs in
their work toward a degree. Her
advice to young ladies who are
thinking of entering the field is
to be about the work and care
about the patient, no matter who
they are.
“A few things to remember
is that persons with mental
EMPOWER. INSPIRE. UPLIFT.
We honor the sacrifices and celebrate
health needs require a
caring, committed, and
compassionate mental health the progress culturally, politically
nurse practitioner,” said Potter. and socioeconomically women
around the world have achieved.
“Not only for the patient, but Visit us in February!
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8 • NEWS ON WOMEN RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022
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Wilson working to
BRIGHTEN
Dubach’s image
By Caleb Daniel improvements, Wilson’s brief Another priority over the Dubach is the only one in Lincoln
tenure has already yielded results past year was to hold events that Parish currently run by both a
Dubach Mayor Mona Wilson on a long-discussed topic holding recognize and elevate different woman mayor and a majority of
took office in the spring of 2021 the town back: blighted property. groups of people in the town, women on its Board of Aldermen.
as the town’s third mayor in less The town is currently in the from Memorial Day and Veterans But Wilson believes it’s really
than a year. the diversity among the council
As a realtor, Wilson knows
the importance of maintaining a “We want to make sure our members combined with her
lifelong business experience
that is benefiting the town in her
property’s appearance. Almost
tenure.
a year into her administration,
she points to many successful town is presentable to anyone She pointed to the upcoming
arrival of the parish’s first Dollar
projects the once-larger town has
Tree/Family Dollar combination
undertaken to make itself more
appealing again. who wants to come and live store in Dubach, as well as a new
tenant business moving into a
“We want to make sure our
downtown commercial property,
town is presentable to anyone who
wants to come and live here or here or open a business here.” as signs that the town is on the
right track.
open a business here,” she said. Wilson said she ran to finish
Four sizable grants to upgrade — MONA WILSON, Mayor of Dubach out the term of the late Mayor
the town have either been won Mary Claire Smith last year
or carried out during Wilson’s because Dubach is her lifelong
tenure. She continued a project process of enforcing its newly Day events for current and past home and she wants to work to
from two previous administrations adopted ordinances that govern service members to trick-or-treat keep it thriving.
to add the last neighborhood to the things like abandoned cars and and Santa Run events for the “I was born and raised here,”
sewer system and obtained three dilapidated buildings. youngsters, as well as a Pink Walk she said. “Been here all my life
other grants: $125,000 to renovate “We’ve gotten some cars day for breast cancer awareness. except for two years. Dubach’s my
the town’s public park, $16,000 to removed, homes torn down there “For Valentine’s Day we plan to town — where I went to church,
replace chlorination equipment were unusable, and we’re still hand-deliver roses to some of our where I grew up, where my family
for the water system, and $18,000 to working on some more,” Wilson elderly single women so they can is. I just want to make sure Dubach
upgrade the community center. said. “We’re trying to clean up the feel a little special,” Wilson said. stays on the map and we don’t get
In addition to these appearance of Dubach.” Out of six municipalities, lost.”
10 • NEWS ON WOMEN RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022
By Brian Trahan When does she find time to relax? spend time with my son Chris and his wife
That’s an easy answer. Amy and my grandchildren,” she said.
There are many words you can use to On the golf course. Chris is the CEO of the The Green Clinic
describe Corre Stegall. Retired is not one of “I just love playing golf and I’ve always in Ruston, while Amy is the Main Street
them. enjoyed the game,” Stegall said. “Being able Director and Community Coordinator for
Oh, she may be Vice President Emerita as to select those things I am involved in gives the city of Ruston. Grandson Bolton is a
the former VP of University Advancement at me time to enjoy other things. Basically, I sophomore at Tech, while granddaughter
Louisiana Tech, but she’s as busy as ever. get to do what I want to do when I want to do Callie is a junior at Ruston High School.
That’s why she doesn’t use the term, it.” When she’s not lending a hand at Tech,
retired. Wouldn’t you know that even playing or serving as a role model for sororities, or
She remains active at Louisiana Tech, the game she loves, Stegall finds time to playing a round of golf, or enjoying family,
working on various projects with President volunteer. She also happens to be a recently- you may find Stegall at Trinity United
Les Guice while also continuing her elected board member for the Louisiana Golf Methodist Church — where you may have
involvement in not only Tech’s panhellenic Association. guessed she volunteers her time on various
system, but also on the state level as an One particular topic, however, will elevate committees.
area advisor for the National Panhellenic Stegall’s excitement over everything else in You could say Stegall does more in
Council. Stegall has also served as the her life. Her family. retirement than most accomplish at any
national president of Kappa Delta Sorority “That makes me happy. When I get to time. Try and keep up.
and chairperson of the Kappa Delta
Foundation, Inc.
“I like to keep busy and I really enjoy
getting to work with special events and
projects at Tech,” Stegall said. “I have
always loved being a part of the university
and now I get to remain active when I want
to be.
“It’s always a pleasure to work with so
many outstanding young women at Tech and
at other colleges,” she continued.
Stegall retired from Tech in 2015 after
a 25-year career as an English professor,
in addition to serving as alumni and
development director before becoming
Tech’s first female Vice President in 2002.
That brought her full circle from when she
graduated from Tech in 1966.
She also remains active in Phi Kappa Phi
honor society, while stepping outside of the
educational realm into her community. She
devotes time to working with the Methodist
Children’s Home in Ruston and volunteers
with the Northeast Louisiana United Way —
organizing campaigns in Lincoln, Union and
Jackson parishes.
Leader photo by Cathi Cox-Boniol
Corre Stegall (right) enjoys a little down time at the golf course with friend Joan Mullens.RUSTON DAILY LEADER | FEBRUARY 20, 2022 NEWS ON WOMEN • 11
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