A wall of images commemorating women veterans and first responders was unveiled Nov. 14 on the second floor of the Maes Building. The wall honors past and present women who have served.
The installation was the brainchild of Margot Gage, associate professor of sociology, who said it is satisfying to see the wall find a permanent home.
“There’s no words. It’s priceless. It’s a beautiful thing,” she said.
The project began seven years ago because Gage wanted her two daughters to know women can hold any profession. As a sociology professor, Gage said she asked her students to draw a firefighter, veteran and astronaut, and it was rare that any student drew a female in those scenarios.
“So, then I was like, ‘How can we figure out how to raise awareness about that,’” Gage said. “That’s one of my jobs as a professor, to raise awareness and to teach. So, this is a teachable moment for people that she served, too.”
The Maes Building wall is the first permanent exhibit on campus honoring women who are serving and have served.
“I think a lot of times, we do not always get the credit that we deserve for all the amazing things that we do, especially when it comes down to serving our country, serving our community and being the first on the scene during the time of disaster and other things — it is amazing,” Wilma Jackson, LU Director of Strategic Initiatives and Community Relations, said. “It is a great opportunity to just celebrate our women’s accomplishments and the amazing things that they’ve done to make this place a better world.”
The 21 women displayed on the wall have proven that women can do anything, Gage said, adding that Faye Woodsmall, the first female police officer in Beaumont in 1976, paved the path for these women.
“She’s had it so hard — she didn’t have a locker room when she started,” Gage said. “Just imagine if you didn’t have your own bathroom, or things like that. She had to wear a man’s uniform.”
Other female officers, such as BPD’s Haley Morrow, use their social media to provide awareness for women first responders.
“I use my platform on social media and as a public information officer to, hopefully, inspire other people to know that they can do it, too,” Morrow said. “I’m just one single person that tries to make a difference every single day, and you can be, too.”
Morrow said she believes it is not just photos on a wall. It is symbolic to all women in law enforcement.
“We bring a different aspect to the table,” she said. “Especially dealing with victims of sexual assault, children who have been abused. That’s something that female officers have a little bit more compassion about.
“I’m so honored to be a part of the wall. But to me, it’s more important that it’s representing something more than myself and representing more so the other women who are on the front lines.”
Jackson said she is happy Lamar University is recognizing these women.
“We were just really happy to have a place, a home,” Jackson said. “To find a home for these portraits to be up to celebrate these amazing women.”