RWC Outstanding Women of Achievement Awards Banquet Monday

    The second Annual "Outstanding Woman of Achievement Awards" is sponsored and presented by the The Republican Women of Central on Monday, October 20, 2014 to pay tribute to the "leading ladies" being honored for their tremendous dedication to Central. 
    A reception will be held at Elegant Memories in Central prior to dinner starting at 5:30p.m. with cash bar. The awards dinner begins at 6:30p.m. Make reservations now by emailing [email protected] or calling RWC Treasurer Judy Keigley at (225)241-4585. Elegant Memories is located at 14328 Frenchtown Road, Central, LA 70739. 
    Cost is $35 per person or $250 for table for 8 guests. Seating is limited. 
    In November of 2013, Mrs. Emma Lee Rome received the highest honor as Outstanding Women of Achievement 2013 Woman of the Year for her lifelong commitment to Central's positive growth while raising six children and maintaining successful businesses over the past 7 decades. She is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, has owned several local businesses, and is an award-winning realtor, community activist, and pillar of the Central Community.
    Twenty additional awards were presented in 2013. Three Cornerstone Lifetime Women of Achievement Awards were given to those who have set Central on a solid foundation of faith, family, friends, and the future. Recipients were Carol White for Lifetime of Dedicated Commitment to her faith, family, friends, and future of Central; Joan Lansing, Cornerstone Lifetime Achievement in Early Education & Community Leadership, Founder of RWC, and Tommie Morden – Cornerstone Lifetime Achievement in Outstanding Community Service. 
    Dr. Laura Cassidy, wife our U.S. Congressman Bill Cassidy was the recipient of the Louisiana Legacy Award for Educational Opportunities, Health for Families, and Outstanding Exemplary Representation of Women. Dr. Cassidy spearheaded the creation and opening of Louisiana Key Academy for Dyslexia, specifically helping children of kindergarten through 2nd grade, in addition to lifelong commitment to medicine, work as doctor and Chief of Surgery for Earl K. Long Hospital, and breast cancer specialist and surgeon.
    One posthumous award was given in memory of Georgia "Miss Pete" Mammie Watts, for her years as a business owner, 30 years as school and football team bus driver, and tireless fundraiser and cheerleader for Central,  mother of former Central Mayor Mac Watts, who accepted the award with his sister, Jo Ann Venable and family in a tearful presentation with memories and stories of Mrs. Watts.
    The first annual awards recognized the Outstanding Teamwork Award  for Cooking In Central to Wyndi Bonvillian, the late Jackie Brewer, Becky DeJohn, Suzonne Cowart, Denise Giles, Joan Lansing, Tommie Morden, Juanita Ross, Jennifer Starns, and Loretta Watts. These ladies are founding members of "Cooking in Central" who along with their husbands and friends, have raised $1.7 million to start the Central School System and provide for technology and playground equipment, rebuild schools and help citizens in Chalmette after Hurricane Katrina, funds toward rebuilding a fire-ravaged library in St. Helena, building a Gold Star Moms memorial at Pt. Hudson Military Cemetery, buying a mobile office van for Louisiana Disabled Veterans to help process benefit claims, and many more causes that need help. 
    Six individual awards were presented: Loretta Watts – Outstanding Achievement as a Successful Entrepreneur and The City's First First Lady for more than 2 terms since the annexation of Central; Ann Watts – Outstanding Leadership with Central Seniors for opening, managing, and volunteering at the Central Council On Aging; Wyndi Bonvillian – Outstanding Leadership with City Formation & Volunteer for Central Students; Juanita Ross – Outstanding Business & Economic Development; EBRP Family Court Judge Charlene Charlet Day – Outstanding Achievement for Education & Family Justice; Jennifer Starns – President's Award – Outstanding Volunteer of the Year & RWC Membership Growth. 
            Nominations were open from July to October 1st, and nominees could be any woman in the community who had inspired the person making the nomination. Political party affiliation and membership to RWC was not a criteria. 
    For information on membership, sponsorship and RWC initiatives, please email [email protected], visit Facebook.com/Republican.Women.Of.Central or Twitter.com/RWCLA2014