[StBernard] New Orleans Magazine - Top Ten Women of New Orleans

[Westley Annis]

The mission of choosing our "top female achievers" is always difficult, but
this year so many have spoken up, taken action and made their voices heard
in post-Katrina New Orleans, that choosing 10 separate women was impossible.
In this issue, you will meet women who have made difficult decisions, and
despite the odds, made a difference; a pair of women whose yearly
volunteering project became a beacon in the darkness; women who have put the
future of our city before their own and even before time spent with their
families; women who have continued to grow, change and make a difference in
their field and in the lives that they touch; and a group of women whose
charm is only the gilding over a solid base of knowledge, determination and
passion. n These stories are representative of a countless number of women
whose lives are filled with successes in their careers, families and the
lives they have touched. Certainly, we have unintentionally overlooked many
who are more than worthy to have their accomplishments on these pages. But
we are confident that the women you are about to meet are more than
qualified, and are worth watching to see what they'll do next. 
 
DORIS VOITIER 

Superintendent of Schools, St. Bernard Parish 

Birthplace: New Orleans 

On November 14, when many residents affected by Hurricane Katrina had yet to
return to even view the destruction first hand, Doris Voitier was opening a
school in St. Bernard Parish. "Every one of our 15 school sites was
destroyed by Katrina and indications were that a temporary school brought in
my the Army Corps of Engineers would not be available until March," Voitier
says. At that point, Voitier, and many members and supporters of the St.
Bernard Parish school board, took matters into their own hands and even
found their own buildings. They opened with 334 students, and by December
there were 650. At the start of the second semester in January they had
1,500, ending the school year with 2,400. "We feel that we have given hope
to a community completely destroyed by the most massive disaster in American
history," Voitier beams. 

Though Voitier has worked her way up through the ranks in St. Bernard as a
teacher, administrator, Assistant Superintendent to become Superintendent in
August 2004, she says that in the past year she has learned, "A lot more
than in the past 35 years of my career. I've learned quite a bit about
federal bureaucracy, about politics and about resiliency. I've learned to be
more flexible and to appreciate how valuable my staff is." 

Against all odds, Voitier has succeeded in keeping education a top priority
in St. Bernard post-Katrina. "Public education drives economic development
and quality of life in the community. People will come back to live in St.
Bernard only if there is a quality educational system for their children,"
Voitier says. "I have devoted my life to the social, emotional and
educational development of children. Now is the time for all of us to band
together to create a better and stronger community." 

MENTOR: "I have to mention both Wayne Warner and Frank Audrer. Wayne is the
principal of Chalmette High School and has held that position for over 30
years. As a young teacher, I learned from Wayne true compassion for
students. He is the truest child-centered educator I have ever met, and I
have learned a great deal from him about recognizing worth in all people.
Frank is also a good friend and was my predecessor as Superintendent. He
taught me to look at education more from the business point of view and also
to recognize its value and importance within the community. I think he
helped me to look at education from a much broader prospective." 

TURNING POINT: "I don't know that I can pinpoint a moment ... I have been in
St. Bernard my entire career, and those years have been very kind to me as
both a teacher and an administrator. Of course, it might be the night that I
decided to open school on my own and just send the bill to FEMA. That may
yet be the defining moment of my career." 

ADVICE FOR YOUNG WOMEN: "First of all, only go into education if you truly
love children. It is very hard work, and the pay is certainly not
commensurate with your accomplishments. The rewards, however, are priceless.
It is said that if you want to touch the past, touch a rock; if you want to
touch the present, touch a flower; if you want to touch the future, touch
the life of a child. Be there because you want to make a difference in the
life of a child. Schools progress only when those who care join forces to
make them better places. Strive to be one who makes a difference." -M.P.