2010 Jack V. Doland Award
Pearl Cole, Director at Abraham's Tent
This award was established in 1991 in honor of the late Senator, who was a strong supporter of women's issues. This award is presented to an individual whose contributions to civic, volunteer and community endeavors have made a difference in the lives of the people. It is a great honor to receive this award.
The Jack V Doland Citizen of the Year Award was created to honor the late Senator for his contribution to the causes of women. Each year, the Women's Commission nominates and then selects a recipient from a slate of candidates nominated based on their reputation in the community, humanitarian efforts, volunteer service and contributions made to the lives of the people she touches. Voting is by secret ballot and the identity of the winner is kept secret until announced at the Fall Conference. It is a great honor to receive this award. We believe each past recipient is an outstanding role model and a valuble asset to our community and this year's recipient is no exception.
Mrs. Pearl Cole, or "Miss Pearl" as she is affectionately known in this area, is the director of Abraham's Tent Association. This local agency cooks and serves hot meals daily free of charge. On average, they feed 200 people a day and over 60,000 people a year. Many travel there by bus; so bus tokens are provided with meals.
For twenty-one years, Miss Pearl has been a hands-on, visible person. Not only does she operate the business side of Abraham's Tent, you will often find her in the kitchen cooking meals or in the serving line feeding "her people." You will also find her in the hallway giving words of encouragement, care and love to the folks she serves.
Miss Pearl's compassion for the homeless population that she serves runs deep. When Lake Charles residents were taking in Hurricane Katrina evacuees, Miss Pearl provided extra food for those families who were taking in others. When Hurricane Rita was out in the Gulf of Mexico, Miss Pearl began putting together care packages for her homeless clients. She wanted to make sure that if they didn't evacuate, they would still have something to eat. After Hurricane Rita, Miss Pearl knew that it was important for her hot meals to be served again. She and her family worked tirelessly to be up and running as soon as possible to serve the increased number of homeless and hungry people in the region.
Miss Pearl hails from Kinder, is the proud mother of Anthony and Michael and is a grandmother of two. She is a devoted member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lake Charles, is recipient of the Caritas Award of the Diocese of Lake Charles and is recognized as one of Southwest Louisiana's Unsung Heroes by The Louisiana Spirit - Hurricane Recovery.
There are heroes who get all the press, and then there are heroes who make all the difference. This quiet and unassuming woman tirelessly and unselfishly cares for hundreds of poor and displaced Louisianans so that they can feed their families. Her deep compassion and unflagging good humor make her the rarest of heroes: not someone who prompts us to think "I wish I could do that" - but one who inspires us to think, "I can do that."
It is with great pride that The Women's Commission of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. presents this year's Jack V. Doland, Citizen of the Year award to Mrs. Pearl Cole!