Louisiana Girls State

 

History

The first Girls State session was conducted in 1938 in Kansas and Nebraska.  By 1948 it was well established as a regular part of the Auxiliary's better citizenship program in all Departments.  Louisiana Girls State began in 1941, one year after Louisiana Boys State.  Forty-five (45) girls attended the 1st session. 

The first Director was Colonel J. Perry Cole, Dean of Student Affairs at Louisiana State University.  In 1942 Colonel Cole was elected Commander of the American Legion, Department of Louisiana.  When Dean Cole began Girls State in 1941, he was greatly aided in his work by Mrs. E. A. Campbell, Department President.  Mrs. Campbell later became National President of the American Legion Auxiliary (1951-1952).

The first Academic Director for Girls State was Dr. Alden Powell of the Department of Government at Louisiana State University who established the general format of the program.  Another person who contributed in the early days of the program was Mrs. George Tigner of Homer who was the first secretary of Girls State.  In 1942, when Colonel Cole was elected the Commander of the American Legion for the Department of Louisiana, Dr. A. R. Choppin, Dean of the College of Chemistry and Physics at Louisiana State University was appointed Director of both the Boys and Girls State programs.  The program prospered during the 32 years that "Doc" Choppin was Director.  Upon the death of Dr. Choppin in October of 1974, Mr. Albert Clary, Director of Academic Services at Louisiana State University became Director of both programs.  In February of 1999 Albert Clary retired from his service to Boys State and Girls State.  He was named Director Emeritus.  At that time D'Ann Morris was appointed Director of Boys State and Girls State.  She is the youngest person and the first female to be appointed Director of both organizations.  She served for seven years before being replaced by Co-Directors Maggie Watts and Essie DeCuir.

Associate Directors who have contributed greatly to the program are Mrs. Ruth  Madison, Mrs. Thelma Ashley, Mrs. Elizabeth Kenyon, Mrs. Lucille Amacker, Mrs. Helen Fields, Ms. Mary Cardone McGinn, Mrs. Alyson St. Blanc, and Mrs. Linda Lovelady.

The first person to hold the title of Program Director of Girls State was Mr. Albert Clary in 1967.  In 1972, W. Henson Moore became Program Director.  Following Henson Moore's election to the United State House of Representatives, Timothy J. McElroy became the Program Director of Girls State and served in that capacity for four years.  In 1978, Pati Cragin Rudisel became the first woman to hold the title of Girls State Program Director.  Mrs. Rudisel continued to serve as Program Director until 1992.  During that year Mr. Clary served as acting Program Director.  In 1993, D'Ann Morris became the Program Director.  Upon D'Ann Morris' appointment to Director in 1999, Becky Karl McLellan was named Program Director.  Stephanie Murray served as Program Director in 2006 and Patricia Doucet served as Program Director in 2007.  At present Essie DeCuir is the Program Director.