Moving Home

Ms. Betty Broussard was a New Iberia, LA native who returned home after 60 years of investing and molding young talents in Monroe, LA. She began her teaching career at Carroll Junior and ended at Carroll High School, where she educated young African-American students with a ferocious passion. During her tenure at Carroll, she would not allow any perceived obstacles a student thought they had to prevent her from teaching them and learning the importance of gaining an education. Her goal was to bring each student across the finish line, and falling short of it was just not acceptable or tolerated. Failure was not an option. Ms. Broussard recognized African-American students who were placed in the race of education several yards behind. Still, nothing prevented her from teaching her students with personal desire showing them that they could and will attain victory by crossing their finish marker. During her initial years at Carroll Junior and Carroll High School, Ms. Broussard quickly discovered that the existing educational resources for her students were not where they should have been. Nevertheless, she never let these obstacles prevent her from making her classroom positive and attractive for her students because she wanted all to stay and learn. She believed her goal at Carroll High was to fulfill her mission to maintain a level of academic credibility consistent with what her boss, Principal Henry Carroll, required of all teachers under his tenure. Students from graduating classes in 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond will remember the assistance, guidance, insight, and pleasantness she gave as they prepared to graduate from Carroll High School. After retiring in 1995, she never stopped giving of her time to civic activities as well as her labor in her church at Little Flower Catholic Church. Her actions provided a welcome and great stimulus to every person, organization, and group she made contact with during her 60 years in the city of Monroe. She especially became a significant point person for State Representative Willie Hunter, Jr., who had the joy of her assistance throughout 16 years for the voters of Louisiana. During her tenure with Representative Hunter, they created over 32 programs under the umbrella of HAMPCO (Helping Assist Multi-Purpose Community Organizations), which sought to present enrichment to children, men, and ladies within the region. Her efforts continued with the assistance of his son, Representative Marcus L. Hunter, and Representative Katrina Jackson, now LA State Senator. Ms. Broussard's significant contributions will be missed but not forgotten or discarded because they are carried each day within us. Ms. Broussard went home to be with the Lord Monday, June 21, 2021. Her funeral services are incomplete as of press time and will be announced from the funeral home.