Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic DevelopmentAcadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic DevelopmentAcadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic DevelopmentAcadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development
JOIN
337-788-0177
  • Chamber Info
    • Board of Directors and Staff
    • Chamber Committees
    • Free Business Counseling
    • Government Contacts
  • Membership
    • Chamber Ca$h Program
    • Grand Opening & Ribbon Cuttings
    • Job Board
    • Membership Directory
    • Member Login
    • Member Spotlight
  • News & Events
    • Chamber News
    • Events Calendar
    • Networking Events
    • Annual Gumbo Cook-Off
    • Farmers’ Appreciation Dinner
    • Golf Classic
    • Acadia Parish Honors
    • Small Business Saturday
    • Prosper Acadia
  • Economic Development
    • Area Allies
    • Available Incentives
    • Small Business Toolkit
    • Education & Workforce Development
    • Facts & Figures
    • Quality Living
    • Relocation Information
  • Leadership EXCEL
  • STAY IN TOUCH

Dr. Ezora Proctor: finalist in KLFY’s ‘Remarkable Women’ event

    Home Uncategorized Dr. Ezora Proctor: finalist in KLFY’s ‘Remarkable Women’ event
    NextPrevious

    Dr. Ezora Proctor: finalist in KLFY’s ‘Remarkable Women’ event

    By Elizabeth Miller | Uncategorized | Comments are Closed | 1 April, 2024 | 0

    A longtime Acadia Parish educator and Crowley resident is a finalist in KLFY’s Remarkable Women campaign. Following are excepts from Proctor’s interview with news anchor Darla Montgomery: Dr. Ezora Proctor, much like the women in the movie “Hidden Figures,” based on their real-life accomplishments, grew up during segregation, was educated and sophisticated. These women not only looked the part, they were the part, most coming from humble beginnings, just like Proctor. “We were very, very poor. But we didn’t know we were poor. We didn’t know we were poor because we always had a lot to eat and we always had a lot of love in the family,” Proctor said. “My dad worked at a sawmill, my brothers at the sawmill and my mother was a cook in a café. We were nine in the family.” Proctor says her parents did everything in their power to help their children succeed and she would learn even more from the community that surrounded her like a village raising the children. “However, I went to school over there in Eunice, elementary and high school. I went to Charleston High School and when I started in the 12th grade, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do in life after high school. However, one of my teachers told my mother that I was too smart just to hang around Eunice. I needed to go to college.” Tough as it was, her parents found a way to send them all to college. When Proctor graduated from high school, her mother knew exactly what to do. “And so, my mother said, college, you don’t have any money to send her to college. So, my mother took me to the bank and told the banker there that I needed to go to college and she needed to borrow some money for me to go to college. And so he said, ‘Well, all right Ms. Smiley, how much do you need,’” said Proctor. Proctor says she had to live with a family and work as a nanny because her parents could only pay for her education at Grambling State University. It became an experience that reinforced lessons of perseverance from her parents, teachers and community. It was an arduous schedule. “I was the nanny and the housekeeper for those individuals. And I had to schedule all of my classes around those people,” Proctor said. “That is what time the children got out of nursery school. I had to be done with my classes because I had to pick those kids up, and we walked home and then I had to cook.” The longtime Acadia Parish educator did that and more. She holds several degrees, served on numerous boards and continues to give generously. She attributes her success to the greatness she around her, including one of the most memorable moments in her life. “I did a march with Dr. King and Jesse Jackson and all. And then, you know, that fear subsided for a while. And then as I talked to them and was surrounding myself with them in Chicago, they just put a lot of confidence in me that we were going to overcome this,” Proctor said. And much like the light that emanates from leaders like Dr. King, many say Proctor is that same light for her community. The winner of the local Remarkable Women campaign will be named on KLFY’s Acadiana Live at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2. The winner will go on to compete in Nexstar’s national competition being held in Las Vegas this spring.

    acadia parish, Acadia Parish Chamber, Dr. Ezora Proctor, eunice

    Elizabeth Miller

    More posts by Elizabeth Miller

    Related Post

    • Business Spotlight: Acadia Parish Assessor’s Office

      By Elizabeth Miller | Comments are Closed

      The Acadia Parish Assessor’s Office plays a vital role in supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth. Led by Assessor James “Jimbo” Petitjean, the office is dedicated to providing accurate property assessments, helping business ownersRead more

    • Brewing Success with PJ’s Coffee of Crowley

      By Elizabeth Miller | Comments are Closed

      As part of their Connected Tier membership benefits with the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development, PJ’s Coffee of Crowley is being highlighted in this Business Spotlight. This feature celebrates their invaluable contributionsRead more

    • Leadership EXCEL names 2024 Alumni of the Year

      By Elizabeth Miller | Comments are Closed

      Leadership EXCEL Announces Ronald “Ronnie” Petree as Inaugural Alumni of the Year Leadership EXCEL, a program dedicated to cultivating dynamic leaders in Acadia and Jeff Davis Parishes, is proud to announce Ronald “Ronnie” Wayne Petree as the inauguralRead more

    • Business Spotlight: Thib’s Outdoor Equipment & Trailers

      By Elizabeth Miller | Comments are Closed

      Business Spotlight: Thib’s Outdoor Equipment & Trailers Your Go-To Source for Lawn Equipment, Trailers, and Unmatched Service As part of their Growth Tier membership benefits with the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development,Read more

    • 2024 Acadia Parish Chamber Gumbo Cook-Off!

      By Elizabeth Miller | Comments are Closed

      20th Annual Acadia Parish Gumbo Cookoff Brings Record Crowds, Community Spirit, and Award-Winning Gumbo This past weekend, downtown Crowley was filled with the aroma of rich, savory gumbo and the sounds of Horace Trahan andRead more

    NextPrevious

    532 SE Court Circle,
    P.O. Box 2125
    Crowley, LA 70526

    Ph: 337-788-0177
    Fax: 337-783-9507

    Site Links

    • Home
    • Contact Acadia Parish Chamber
    • Chamber Info
    • Economic Development
    • News & Events

    Helpful Links

    • Recent News
    • Annual Gumbo Cook-Off
    • Grand Opening & Ribbon Cuttings
    • Leadership EXCEL
    • Events Calendar

    Affiliates

    Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved

    Powered by Eight Hats
    • Chamber Info
      • Board of Directors and Staff
      • Chamber Committees
      • Free Business Counseling
      • Government Contacts
    • Membership
      • Chamber Ca$h Program
      • Grand Opening & Ribbon Cuttings
      • Job Board
      • Membership Directory
      • Member Login
      • Member Spotlight
    • News & Events
      • Chamber News
      • Events Calendar
      • Networking Events
      • Annual Gumbo Cook-Off
      • Farmers’ Appreciation Dinner
      • Golf Classic
      • Acadia Parish Honors
      • Small Business Saturday
      • Prosper Acadia
    • Economic Development
      • Area Allies
      • Available Incentives
      • Small Business Toolkit
      • Education & Workforce Development
      • Facts & Figures
      • Quality Living
      • Relocation Information
    • Leadership EXCEL
    • STAY IN TOUCH
    Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development