NSDAR François deLery Chapter Honors SBPSB Superintendent Doris Voitier with Women in History Award

NSDAR François deLery Chapter Honors SBPSB Superintendent Doris Voitier with Women in History Award

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, François deLery Chapter, recently hosted a special ceremony in the Founders’ Room at Chalmette High School to honor Superintendent Doris Voitier as a recipient of the prestigious Women in American History Award.

Presented with a NSDAR certificate and medal as well as a customized lapel pin, Ms. Voitier was recognized for her extraordinary 55-year career in public education, spanning her roles as a teacher, department chair, administrator, assistant superintendent, and now superintendent of St. Bernard Parish Public Schools. She was also honored for her steadfast leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when she helped guide the creation and success of the St. Bernard Unified School - an effort widely regarded as a cornerstone in the parish’s recovery.

The Women in American History Award is a nationally recognized honor presented by DAR chapters across the country. It celebrates women - past or present - who have made significant contributions to their communities through leadership, education, service, and innovation. This marks the first time the François deLery Chapter has identified a candidate who met the award’s rigorous criteria, underscoring the significance of Voitier’s impact.

François deLery Chapter Regent Christyn Elliott, who nominated Voitier for the honor, emphasized the depth of her contributions. In her remarks, Elliott reflected on Voitier’s decades of dedication and her unwavering resolve during the parish’s most challenging moments, noting that her leadership not only restored a school system but helped bring an entire community back home.

The ceremony featured tributes and personal reflections from several chapter members, including Historian Gayle Buckley, Vice Regent Faith Moran, and others, who shared stories highlighting Voitier’s influence, resilience, and lasting legacy in St. Bernard Parish. At the conclusion, Voitier was gifted with a vintage lead crystal pitcher from the Chapter filled with red roses from Cultural Arts Director Charles Cassar, who noted that the gift exemplified her love for the community as she poured herself out for its benefit.

As part of this recognition, Voitier’s achievements have been formally recorded in the DAR’s national archives, where she is now listed among notable women in American history.

Founded in 1890, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Through programs like the Women in American History Award, the organization continues to honor individuals whose contributions shape and strengthen their communities.