Photo by Jeannie Frey Rhodes

CONSIDERING, she has an incredible generosity of heart, intellect and resources. When she takes on a community project, she does it with all that she has. She’s a motivator of people and a passionate fundraiser.

CONSIDERING, she has a strong love for Baton Rouge. She was born and raised here and never left the city. Her parents grew up here, too. “I feel a strong obligation to be a good steward and to volunteer. The community has given me so much. I want to give back to the community.”

CONSIDERING, she has a special heart for Baton Rouge General Medical Center. After her husband Milton Womack died, she chaired its capital campaign in 2005 in his honor. “It was a wonderful collaboration: “The hospital needed support and I needed something to sink my teeth into and keep me busy. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.”

CONSIDERING, she has also poured her soul into the School of Social Work at LSU, a degree she majored in. She received the Distinguished Ambassador Award in 2014 from LSU’s College of Human Sciences & Education.

CONSIDERING, she credits the religious practice of tithing for opening her up to the world of volunteerism. “If you give back to your church, it is natural to want to give back to the community too.”

CONSIDERING, she receives accolades throughout the community for her giving heart. She was recently recognized by the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as a Leave a Legacy honoree. And she received the Volunteer Activist Award from the former Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation (now the Emerge Center).

CONSIDERING, she absolutely loves the game of bridge and has spent years traveling all over the United States playing in bridge tournaments. “It is such a challenge because it doesn’t matter how much you know, there is always more to learn.”

CONSIDERING, she has been married to Butch Hart for six years and the couple, between them, has eight children and 12 grandchildren. “I’m really into knitting, so I made 15 pairs of mitts [fingerless gloves] for Christmas. I was busy!”

CONSIDERING, at age 73 she is starting to slow down a bit, but she has no intention of stopping. Her commitment to the community and to her family continues. “I want to appreciate each day and make the day count. Be as productive as I can be for as long as I can be. My greatest joy is to be a productive, responsible citizen.”