Staff Report
OPELOUSAS - The Women United of St. Landry-Evangeline United Way hosted its 12th Annual Women With Heart Luncheon and Awards event on Wednesday, May 8, at the Opelousas Civic Center. This popular event awarded two outstanding women from six nominees from St. Landry and Evangeline Parish respectively.
According to Ginger LeCompte, executive director of St. Landry-Evangeline United Way, “Almost 200 attendees were inspired by the stories of our six nominees, with any one of them deserving of the Woman With Heart award.”
Kimberly Bourgeois, the Evangeline Parish recipient of the award, is a lifelong Mamou resident, business owner, and active member of the Evangeline Parish Chamber of Commerce.
Her coffee shop, Mou Latte’ is a hub for yoga classes, coffee gatherings, weddings, and other special occasions. She organizes the local Christmas market, “Boo in the Mou” for youth, often absorbing costs herself. Bourgeois established a non-profit, “The Mou-vement” to assist in improving her community.
Probably the most inspiring is how her personal loss of a child led her to establish Pathways of Hope, a place to memorialize and honor the lives of children who have passed too soon.
Bourgeois expressed, “It’s so inspiring to be here, and I’m humbled.”
Past winners from Evangeline Parish are Mable Foreman, Suzy Lemoine, Linda Lebsack, Paula LaFleur, Dianne Johnson, Wanda Verrette, Connie Lamke, Camille Fontenot, Carleen Bellard, Dr. Gwen Fontenot, and Phyllis Green.
Sarahi Sawtelle, of Hundredfold Coffee, served on a panel along with Courtney Pitre Dugas and Tracey Colson-Antee. Serving as moderator was Lana Fontenot, of South Louisiana Community College.
LeCompte stated, “Featured on the program were women entrepreneurs sharing their journeys; and ironically, both of our recipients of the “Woman With Heart” award are business owners who have found a way to merge businesses with their passion for community service.”
Proceeds from this event will support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) and other programs and projects related to women and children’s issues.
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