Story by Jennifer Middleton
March is a big month for the Bossier City Commission for Women. The organization will be holding several events throughout the month, focused on inspiring and honoring local women in observance of Women’s History Month.
The Commission for Women was established in 1986 as an advocacy agency for women in the Bossier City area. It is comprised of 25 women who work to promote and further legal, political, economic and educational opportunities for women in the Bossier City area. They also aim to enhance the quality of life for all area residents, particularly women and families.
One of the primary events this month is the annual Inspiring Women Luncheon, which serves to give women in the area an opportunity to come together and learn about ways they can become more involved with things in the community.
Jinny Henson will be the speaker at the event. Henson is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary, and a published author. She is also the founder of the organization Maggie Lee’s Closet, which provides underprivileged children in the area with new or gently used clothes. During the luncheon, Henson will be accepting donations of new socks and underwear for boys and girls sizes 6 to 16.
“It’s going to be a positive day,” said event organizer Lindsey Nickerson, “with an opportunity, hopefully, for visibility.”
Nickerson expressed concern over the lack of awareness about the Commission, and said she hopes the luncheon will help get the word out.
“I want ladies in Bossier to see everything this month,” she said. “The luncheon just happens to be out largest event.”
Other events in March include a wardrobe workshop, a painting event at the Bossier Arts Council, Family Craft Day, and a spa day.
In addition to these events, the Commission also has ongoing programs, such as The Bossier Women Leaders of Tomorrow Program, a mentoring project developed to enrich the educational experience of Bossier Parish high school seniors. The program extends over all of Bossier Parish, from Haughton to Plain Dealing.
“We have two girls from each school in the leadership program,” Nickerson said. “[And we’re] exposing them to different areas of city life and city government, so hopefully when they go off to college, and come back, they know what the city’s all about, what all it offers, how it works, and hopefully [they] will plug in and get involved and work to make Bossier better themselves.”
Nickerson added that participants in the mentor program will receive a monetary award that they can apply towards their college tuition.
“Ladies are really good at working so hard at caring for everybody but themselves,” Nickerson concluded. “So this month, Women’s History Month, I want them to stop and think, ‘Am I taking care of myself?’”
