Women’s History Month is in full swing in Hammond. The Tangipahoa Parish Library will be celebrating the achievements of women in its own way, with the presentation of the Woman of Excellence award, made to honor a notable local woman who has made a great difference in the community at large.
The award ceremony will take place at the Amite Branch Library on Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m. The ceremony is open to the public and can be attended without charge.
“The recipient of this award exemplifies outstanding service to Tangipahoa Parish,” said Bianca Roberts, the assistant director of the Tangipahoa Parish Library. “The recipient is selected by the Award Selection Committee from nominations received from residents of Tangipahoa Parish.”
This year’s recipient is Judge Grace Bennett Gasaway, who has served on the Hammond City Court for the past eighteen years.
“[Judge Gasaway was selected] because of her commitment to Tangipahoa Parish and the programs and projects she has developed and work regarding the youth of Tangipahoa Parish,” said Roberts.
Gasaway has been a Hammond native all of her life and went on to become an alumna of Louisiana State University and the National Judicial College. In 1986, she opened a private law practice before taking on the position of judge at the Hammond City Court in 1997. She has been renowned for her judicial decisions and for being a role model for the parish youth. According to her profile on the City Court of Hammond website, her other awards include “the 1999 ‘Annie Award’ for Outstanding Woman of the Year in Government, sponsored by Southeastern Louisiana University and the Hammond Chamber of Commerce; the 2002 Crystal Gavel Award presented by the Louisiana State Bar Association recognizing judges who have been unsung heroes in their communities… and the 2005 Woman of the Year Award presented by the Junior Auxiliary of Hammond.”
According to Roberts, the ceremony will open with a speech by Betty Stewart, former Tourist Commission Director of Tangipahoa and the 2014 recipient of the award. After that, Gasaway herself will take the podium and give an acceptance speech, then refreshments will be provided and mingling among the attendees will be encouraged.
For more information on the Woman of Excellence Award or other matters related to events at the Tangipahoa parish library, visit tangilibrary.com or their Facebook page.