Women speak at Women’s Leadership Luncheon

The Vermilion Chamber of Commerce hosted the second annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon that took place on Friday.
The sold-out event took place at the LSU Ag Center and highlighted this year’s theme, “Energize. Ignite. Celebrate. We’re Better Together,” intending to energize attendees, ignite their desire for growth, leadership and involvement and to celebrate those that lead in their respective roles in the community.
Showcasing women’s talents and how those stories can play an instrumental role in inspiring other women was the event’s highlight. The team selected three guest speakers who energized, ignited and celebrated women and all what can be accomplished by coming together.
“Bringing women together, successful women and those seeking inspiration is a huge part of what we aim to do every year, and this year was a pretty big turnout,” Megan Landry-Lalande said, “I mean, this room is packed.” Lalande is the past president and Chairman of Marketing Committee. When she began this endeavor, she was the Centennial President of the Chamber in 2020.
With ties to Vermilion Parish, all three guest speakers presented topics to elevate all in attendance. Jennifer Adcock, a resident of Vermilion Parish, is a partner at EXCELERANT, which is a leading provider of leadership development and human resources solutions based in Acadiana. Holding a master’s degree in Human Resources, Adcock has three certifications in Human Resources, is a certified Instructor/Facilitator, and a certified Succession Planner.
Adcock, who brought a bit of self-identity to the luncheon, gave the audience an exercise. The purpose was to provide a bit of strength
training and to allow women to recognize their role in the community.
“We won’t take you through the exercises we like to use when we work with leaders all over the country,” said Adcock. “We want to help you tap into who you are and what your strengths are as we do for them. We want you to reach your highest potential.”
Adcock explained that women tend to forget to take care of themselves. She learned over the years that it is hard for women to list what they think they are good at.
“How can we best utilize our strengths to make an impact? That is what we are going to try and figure out,” she said.
After that exercise, Adcock asked, “Those strengths that you wrote down, how do you use that to support your growth, community, team, family or anyone around you? What would you like to be your legacy?”
Adcock focused on awakening the fire that women were born with by acknowledging their worth, strengths, weaknesses, and ability to rely on other women to lift them while they’re down.
Committed to her community, Judge Laurie Hulin joined the Women’s Leadership Luncheon to inspire female empowerment. Unsure of what she could bring to the table, Hulin recalled several cases she has kept with her throughout the years. These cases could inspire anyone, which is why she decided to use them as an example.
“What could I offer an already successful crowd,” Hulin thought. “My work centers on conflict, injury, neglect, deprivation, acts of immorality, which the court does seek to resolve. However, there is a harsh reality to that.”
One particular case involved a troubled woman who got mixed up with the wrong crowd.
Hulin saw her many faces, the faces that come with drug addiction.
“We sent her to a rehabilitation facility, and that was the best thing that could have happened to her,” she said. “She came back to court, looked so beautiful, and her posture was great, but sadly, this was not going to be the last I see of her, even after telling her to get out of Vermilion Parish where the temptation and certain individuals were close by.”
There were a couple of other instances where she came before the court in the same situation, but this last time, she was pregnant. Hulin sent her back to the rehab facility and was utterly taken aback by her transition into motherhood. “That is inspiring to me. Things like that stick with you,” said Hulin.
Hulin also recalled an abuse case that involved a four-year-old. The act of forgiveness that the parent had was most inspiring. It taught me a lot,” she said. It’s no secret that some instances and situations in life will leave an impact on you. Allowing yourself to be open to those things is what makes women extraordinary. “I was motivated by this parents’ forgiveness especially being a mother to a young child,” she said.
“We, as women, need to come together to rebuild our community.”
This event began last year, but it is already showing its importance to those who attended.
The final guest speaker is someone whose name is also widely recognized. Anita Levy was recognized as one of the 2020 “Women Who Mean Business” by United Way of Acadiana. She has been the Board of Chair of The Levy Cancer Foundation in Vermilion Parish since 2015. In addition, the Abbeville native serves on numerous boards within the parish.
Levy helped celebrate women in her appearance as a guest speaker. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, what better time to celebrate women during the month?
Levy credits her team for the Levy Cancer Foundation as passionate and dynamic.
“These people volunteer their time (sometimes even their family members) to raise money for these cancer patients,” Levy said. Working with such a generous team, it’s no question that women are born to lead.
The Levy Cancer Foundation was established in 2013 and named for her parents, Irvin and Josephine Levy, who passed away from cancer. Each year, the foundation in which Abbeville General collaborates assures residents seeking treatment have realistic options. In addition, each year, the foundation honors two breast cancer survivors with the “Courage Award” to honor their struggles with cancer while getting a night of dinner and dancing with their guests.
Levy is one of 64,500 black women, ages 21-69, from across the country enrolled in The Black Women’s Health Study, a long-term observational study to investigate the health problems of black women to improve their health.
As a community servant, Levy serves on the board at Abbeville General. In addition, she is president of the Vermilion Parish Council on Aging, past parish council president at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church and current vice president of the Ladies Altar Society.
A recipient of many awards of recognition, including being the 2012 recipient of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award from St. Theresa, Levy was recognized for her outstanding service to church and community. She was also the 2017 recipient of the Bishop Service Award for the Diocese of Lafayette, and 2019 recipient of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award and parade grand marshal.
The work that Levy has done is nothing shy of what a woman leader is capable of.
Levy said that there are times that they get phone calls in the middle of the night from people in need of an ear or some support.
“We are grateful for all of our new guests and speakers today,” said Lalande, “The amazing women here today who were our guest speakers, we thank you and applaud you.” Lalande also thanked those who attended and expressed how hopeful she was for next year’s event. “It’s not too late to plan to attend next year.”