Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge Selects New Officers, Board Members.

The Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge (WCGBR) today announced the appointment of four officers and eight new board members — a new wave of leaders in an organization committed to enhancing our community by connecting, promoting, and empowering women in Baton Rouge, the home of Louisiana State University.

"Not only do these talented individuals reflect the diverse interests of women in Baton Rouge, they're the ideal group to lead us into the future," said Cookie Tuminello, passing-president of WCGBR. "Collectively, they represent leadership for a new era, which is crucial for an organization that represents the professional and philanthropic women in Louisiana’s Capital."


The vote took place on January 12, 2006 during the council meeting. Both the vote and the move reflected the conviction of an organization bent on reinventing itself as it enlarges its sphere of influence in a field that itself is undergoing change, particularly as natural disasters at home and overseas demand increasing nimbleness in the charitable work of the global community.


WCGBR chose leadership committed to empowering women and renewing Baton Rouge's pivotal place in philanthropy.


Arianne Bellizaire has been a member of the Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge since 2003. She is the Public Affairs Specialist for Cox Communications, the nation’s third-largest cable provider. Arianne is a member of the YMCA, Junior League and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Arianne has served on the Publicity, Nominating and Bylaws Committee.


Susan Smolinsky started as an individual member of the WCGBR in 2002 and is also the representative of the WCGBR member organization; American Association of University Women (AAUW). She is an attorney with the Louisiana State Department of Education. Susan is a member of the AAUW and Hadassah organizations. Hadassah is a national Jewish women's organization that supports health issues in the US and provides support for the Hadassah hospitals in Israel. Susan has served on the Membership and Women’s Week Activities Committee.


Erica Welborn is an employee and representative for the Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baton Rouge, which is a non-profit that helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college. Erica is also a member of the Forum35 and VIPS “Everybody Reads After School” Project.


WCGBR's newest board members bring a broad range of talent to their posts. They are:


— Geraldine Simms, Term Expires 2006
— Marianne Frazee, Term Expires 2007
— Virtle Jones, Term Expires 2007
— Lynn Dickerson, Term Expires 2008
— Betty Crawford, Term Expires 2008
— Tiffany Temple, Term Expires 2008
— Mary Jacob, Term Expires 2008
— Sandra Thompson, Term Expires 2008



The Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge, a nonprofit membership organization of more than 270 diverse organizations and individuals in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, is committed to enhancing our community by connecting, promoting, and empowering women.