LOVING LOUISIANA BLOG ARCHIVES
Ellevate Women, Ellevate Louisiana
Ellevate Women,Ellevate Louisiana Ellevate Women,Ellevate Louisiana During my time in the Louisiana Legislature, I was fortunate to travel the state a few times to meet the fantastic people that are the backbone of our incredibly diverse state. I was often struck by how little time was spent in our communities talking about our […]

People of Louisiana – Schools (September 2020)
CARRIE VARINO Vermilion Parish High School Teacher of the Year, 2019-2020 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2021 Abbeville High School English Department An Open Letter to Teachers:In Times of Crisis, Don’t Forget Your Power CARRIE VARINO Vermilion Parish High School Teacher of the Year, 2019-2020Louisiana State Teacher of […]

People of Louisiana – Community (September 2020)
FIRST TO FIGHTFOUNDATION Combat Veterans,Eric Cook and Jeff Mattia FIRST TO FIGHT FOUNDATIONCombat Veterans, Eric Cook and Jeff Mattia First to Fight Foundation (FTFF) is a charitable organization founded by combat veterans Eric Cook and Jeff Mattia. FTFF gives support to military veterans and their families by providing guidance with the transition from active […]

A Tribute to an Early Teach MAM Partner Cheryl Castille
A Tribute to an Early Teach MAM Partner: Cheryl Castille A Tribute to an Early Teach MAM Partner:Cheryl Castille The Louisiana First Foundation was heartbroken to hear of the passing of Cheryl Castille, Executive Director of the Louisiana Division of the Arts. Cheryl was a shining light and constant advocate for the arts […]

People of Louisiana – Business (September 2020)
CANDICE MARIE DIXON Founder and CEO, RENEE MARIE The VOTE Coco Brooch Click the link below to purchase Candice’s “VOTE” brooch and see some of her other products. https://www.reneemarie.com/collections/votemerch CANDICE MARIE DIXONFounder and CEO, RENEE MARIE Candice Marie Dixon is the founder and CEO of RENEE MARIE, a jewelry and accessories brand specializing […]

Featured Recipe: Snickerdoodles
SNICKERDOODLES Recipe Courtesy JCB Creations SNICKERDOODLE COOKIE Ingredients: 5 ⅓ C. Flour4 teaspoons Cream of Tartar2 teaspoons baking soda1 pound (block) of butter (softened)3 cups Sugar4 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extract Method: Set oven to 350 degrees Whisk together the flour, cream of tartar and baking soda and set aside In another bowl, with […]

Hurricane Laura and Her Impact on Transportation and Infrastructure
Hurricane Laura and Her Impact on Transportation and Infrastructure Words from Secretary Shawn Wilson, Ph.D. Hurricane Laura and Her Impact on Transportation and Infrastructure While the response to Hurricane Laura for some Louisianans is in the rearview mirror, the destruction remains at the forefront for those in her path. The recognition that the […]

Women’s Health – September 2020
Women’s Health WOMEN’S HEALTH BLOGSeptember 2020 Improving the Mental Health of Louisiana’s Women and Families Written by Ayesha Umrigar, PhD The state of current events isn’t doing favors for anyone’s mental health, especially for women and children. Traumatic events experienced by children can have negative consequences that follow them well into adulthood. Sometimes this trauma […]

Joni Smith – It Takes A Village
It Takes A Village Words from Joni Smith 2017 LA State Teacher of the Year, Science Content Coach of Central Community Schools It Takes A Village As we enter into our fall semester of school, we will face a mountain of unprecedented challenges brought on by our invisible enemy, COVID-19. Let us […]

Women’s Health – August 2020
Women’s Health WOMEN’S HEALTH BLOGAugust 2020 The “Boss” The Elder Southern Lady, COVID-19, and an inability to Socialize Written by Ouida Collins, MD MPH This year has been a rollercoaster of challenges for us all. It has been more than an exercise of adaptation, resiliency, compassion, and temperance. Those of us born and raised […]

Teach MAM – Virtual Learning
Teach MAM Teach MAM: An Exciting Partnership to Strengthen Arts Education Across Louisiana Carolyn Lenora ScalfanoTeach MAM Arts Ambassador VIRTUAL LEARNING Ready or not, virtual learning has become an undeniable component of the 2020 – 2021 school year. The challenges are plentiful, dare say overwhelming at times, and […]

Louisiana Fosters – Methodist Foster Care Supports Louisiana’s Children in Foster Care and their Foster and Kinship Caregivers
Louisiana Fosters Methodist Foster Care Supports Louisiana’s Children in Foster Care and their Foster and Kinship Caregivers By Dana Castine Methodist Foster Care Supports Louisiana’s Children in Foster Care and their Foster and Kinship Caregivers The team at Methodist Foster Care (MFC) has gained a reputation as the “go-to” Therapeutic Foster Care agency in Louisiana. […]
Delery Rice,
Our Editor
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Delery has lived there all of her life except during undergraduate school and a brief stint in Seattle, WA. She is a mother to four boys, ranging in ages from 21 to 16, and they are the heart and soul of her life.
Delery earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University. She is currently a fellow at Loyola University New Orleans, Institute of Politics. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.
