Black History...Visions of Hope

Continued from last week February 10, 2022

Betty Ward Cooper's 8th grade teacher Mrs. Dorothy S. Brown, had this to say: "Betty was an extraordinary student who was academically focused and pursued excellence in education and endeavored to give her best effort without concern about being the best. It was evident that Betty would be successful, and I am honored to have taught such an outstanding lady." Betty was a first-generation college graduate along with several of her seven (7) siblings. Upon earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1972, she immediately landed a job as the Office Manager, for the National Cash Register Company in Monroe, Louisiana and Olinkraft, Inc. in West Monroe, Louisiana. The same year she got married, she began teaching in the Ouachita Parish School System from 1974-1982, where she worked as a business teacher and as a librarian at Jack Hayes Junior High School, while also in the graduate degree program and earned a Master of Education Degree with a Major in Business in 1976. She then went on to earn a Master's Plus 30 hours in 1978. All of her post high school education came by way of ULM. Betty's younger brother Dennis Ward Jr., said: "My sister has always presented this professional, hard-working, never give up example for me and others." Betty accepted a position as an Instructor in the College of Business, at ULM, in 1982, becoming the first African-American Instructor in the College of Business, where she served for 35 years before retiring in August 4, 2017. Betty said she is filled with gratitude for having had the opportunity to be a member of ULM's faculty, but there were some challenges and adversities she had to overcome as a young Black female working in a white environment. She often encouraged herself and stayed the course because of the comforting words spoken by Maya Angelou in 1978, "Out of the huts of history's shame, I rise. Up from a past that's rooted in pain, I rise." During her academic career at ULM, she also represented the University as a software trainer consulting at J.P. Morgan Chase, The News Star, Vantage Health Plan, Inc., Graphics Packaging International, General Motors, Ford Bacon & Davis, YWCA and Allied Building Stores in Ouachita Parish. She put her oratorical skills to work as a high school teacher, college instructor, consultant and trainer, teaching courses in professionalism in the workplace, civic engagement, and workplace basic skills, and Ladies' Day events at churches. For many years, she served as the Faculty Advisor for the Collegiate Chapter of the NAACP at ULM and helped the chapter receive state and national NAACP honors for furthering the mission and goals of the NAACP on a college campus. Current ULM President Dr. Ronald Berry, Ph.D., shared this: "Fortunately for me, I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Betty for over 25 years. She and I taught together, researched together, and I learned from her the importance of meeting students where they were. Mrs. Cooper is a well-respected educator in Louisiana and without a doubt, one of the best role models anyone could have. As one of the first African-American female faculty members at ULM, she served as an inspiration to many, while opening the door to the generational and life changing experiences of higher education, for both students and fellow colleagues. During her career at ULM, Betty helped transition the world into the information age, moving from manual office procedures to the explosion of information technology in the office environment. Mrs. Cooper is the epitome of a true selfless professional whose life work continues to impact the lives of those seeking a better life."