From the Director

Dear Friends, 

 
As we mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, this special edition of Newcomb magazine offers a blend of personal stories,research insights, and forward-looking analysis to reflect on Katrina’s legacy and the ongoing work that continues in its wake.
 

While preparing this issue, we acknowledged the wide range of emotions and memories Katrina evokes. For those who lived through the disaster, it stirs painful and traumatic recollections. For others, it’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come since August 29, 2005. It’s one of those events where you remember exactly where you were when it struck — or still find yourself wondering how you got through it. At Newcomb Institute, we are deeply proud of the collective recovery efforts made by so many, and how they achieved it together, in the best way they knew how.

In this issue, we highlight the efforts of the “Dirty Dozen,” a group of alumnae who bonded over a shared mission to volunteer and rebuild houses in New Orleans. Their initiative not only helped restore homes but also fostered deep, lifelong friendships. We also feature alumna, Allison Shapiro Dandry (NC ’03, G *06, B *16), who, inspired by the devastation, shifted her career path to create a foundation dedicated to providing community support through hot meals for those in crisis.

We reflect on the resilience demonstrated by our students, many of whom were in college at the time. They share how experiencing Katrina firsthand shaped their lives and careers, and how the disaster solidified their commitment to making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Through data-driven research, we explore the link between climate disasters and the increased risk of domestic violence in our city and state. These studies underscore the need for targeted response efforts and initiatives to address the most pressing challenges faced by our most vulnerable populations.

We are especially grateful to Beth Willinger, former executive director of what was once known as the Newcomb College Center for Research on Women, for sharing a personal account of how the Newcomb Archives survived the floodwaters. The Newcomb Archives, which have grown in significance since Katrina, now serve as a vital resource, with enhanced protective measures in place to preserve the history of Newcomb College and the legacy of women in the Gulf South.
 

What we know for certain is that women were — and remain — at the heart of New Orleans’ resilience after Hurricane Katrina. But rebuilding and continuing to thrive takes the efforts of all of us, working together, to ensure the success of our community for years to come.

Sincerely, 

Anita Raj, Ph.D., M.S. 

Executive Director, Newcomb Institute of Tulane University

Professor, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, Tulane University 

Nancy Reeves Dreux Chair of Women and Public Health