Black History... Visons of Hope

Continued from Feb. 17, 2022

In 2000, Betty began volunteering and became the consummate community organizer. She wholeheartedly believes that people can change their communities through civic engagement and the power of the vote. She initiated and supported voter registration drives throughout Ouachita Parish and other areas of the state of Louisiana to register citizens as voters emphasizing the importance of voter power to bring about the change people want and deserve to have in their communities. Her brother Dennis said he and Betty's other siblings were often concerned for her safety as she would travel the backroads of Louisiana to reach unregistered voters including the formerly incarcerated individuals to encourage them to exercise their right to vote.

In 2016 she represented the NAACP as a member of the Long-Term Recovery (2016) where she met Mr. Tom Malmay, Ouachita Recovery Manager. Mr. Malmay, said that "Betty was firm on the issues related to the well-being of her constituents. In the course of sometimes warm group discussions, she would continually read the room, processing responses. She would make sure her points were made before everyone left the table. Years later she is still fighting the fight. I appreciate her friendship."

In 2010, with the help of former Board officers, Betty re-lit the torch of the Ouachita Parish Chapter of the NAACP. The parish chapter had been inactive for years and out of compliance. She worked diligently organizing community support and signing up new memberships. The chapter was restructured and regained compliance status with state and national NAACP standards and became a viable entity once again in Ouachita Parish; championing the mission of the NAACP which is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

She was elected by the Ouachita Chapter as 1st Vice-President, and her many duties and responsibilities included but was not limited to membership drives, media relations and marketing, and event coordinating that included the Annual Freedom Fund Banquet which is the chapter's primary fundraising event to support the mission of the NAACP. It is worthy to note that each year under her leadership the banquet was always completely sold out. Attorney George Britton III, expressed deep appreciation for working with Betty. He writes: "Ms. Cooper has been an asset to the organization, both locally and statewide. For her contributions to the ULM, Ouachita-Monroe Chapter, and the state NAACP organizations, we express our appreciation and gratitude."

She was asked to Co-Chair the 2018 NAACP State Conference that was held in Monroe, Louisiana by Convention Chairman Ira Thomas, Sr. of New Orleans who said: "Betty Ward-Cooper was my point of contact on the ground in Monroe. She rallied her local chapter, organized, and coordinated meetings with the city of Monroe Mayor, elected officials, Mayor of West-Monroe, and Chambers of Commerce. She aided in securing ULM as our conference venue, booking the Family Life Center for the Freedom Fund Banquet, and other logistics including lodging and transportation for our delegates that traveled from as far south as lower Plaquemines Parish, and as far north as Shreveport. Our conference would not have been one of the great success stories of Monroe in 2018. All media accounts, officers and members attending the state conference gave high praise for the 2018 Louisiana State NAACP Conference in Monroe. This was due in large part to her communication and organizational skills, confidence, tenacity, resilience, and sacrifice. Betty Ward-Cooper wrought the aforementioned contributions to the conference. Mr. Thomas, added that Betty took such ownership and command of the conference planning and pushing of the agenda so much so that he had to often remind her that he was the Chairman. Mr. Thomas, said he nick named her "Pushy Betty."