Newsmaker Trailblazer

Trailblazerwww.ladatanews.com March 26 - April 1, 2011Page 5Penelope Randolph-BiagasA Giving Traditionby: Eric ConnerlyShe is someone who comes from a long line ofwomen and a family that have lived their lives toserve others. Penelope Randolph-Biagas has dedicatedherself to the betterment of her community. “Iwas born into a family of social workers, my mother,Dorothy Sturken-Randolph was very involved inthe community and was the first Director of SocialServices at Charity Hospital and the first African-American Professor at Tulane University School ofSocial Work,” says Randolph-Biagas.Continuing on the theme of her family and theimportance they played in her being self-determinedshe harkens back to her mother, grandmotherand great-grandmother, three generationsof women who helped shape her drive to succeed.“I am someone who believes everything is possible,but you have to be dedicated, serious and disciplined,this is something I learned early in life seeingstrong female role models in my family,” saysRandolph-Biagas.As a social service professional she has witnessedmany things change in the African-Americancommunity. She says of some of the problemssurrounding the young women of today,“I find that in some families and communitiesthere is not a lot of support that use to exist at onetime, the breakdown of community is a product ofthe breakdown of family and this is something wehave to work on to improve our community.” “Weneed more unity and people to understand that ifwe don’t work to improve the lives of the peopleat the bottom it makes life for people harder at thetop.”Civic involvement is an important part of hergiving back as she sits on several boards. One thatholds a special place and is dear to her heart is theJazz and Heritage Foundation. “We do so manythings in the areas of the cultural arts and that is avery important part of our city, preserving its heritageand culture,” says Randolph-Biagas.Over five years later the city is still experiencingthe effects of the Katrina debacle that continues toimpact the lives of many people. Randolph-Biagaslikens her city to an old friend, “I love New OrleansPenelope Randolph-Biagas with her daughter, Judge Candice BatesAndersonand even in spite of some of its problems.” Continuingshe says, “I was fortunate enough to not havemuch damage and be in a position to help others.”“That’s what we do in New Orleans we are just agiving, loving people and as we rebuild it is not justabout the buildings that make the city great I believeits greatest asset is its people.”She is a loving mother to her daughter, JuvenileCourt Judge Candice Bates-Anderson. Beamingwith pride when speaking of her, “My daughter isvery determined and has grown into being an accomplishedyoung woman. Continuing she says, “Iam so proud of my daughter and what she’s donewith her life; she has had the will to do what shewanted to do and made it happen.” Randolph-BiagasJMJJoseph M. JonesContinuing Education Fundalso says she gets extremejoy from her grandchildrenCaydance and Penelope.As women roles in societyhave evolved, Randolph-Biagas think much hasn’tchanged it’s simply the samewheel with a new spin shesays, “While women’s placein society have changed Idon’t think the 21st CenturyWoman is that different thenthe 20th Century Woman, wehave always spent time balancingwork and family.” “Icame from a home where mygrandmother did not workoutside of the home but shemanaged the home, and mymother always worked eventraveling to Baton Rouge forschool because Tulane didnot accept African-Americans at that time.”Penelope Randolph-Biagas comes from a longline of people who have been examples of greatwomen. Giving advice to young women she says,“Stay focused, know who you are and what youwant, set goals for yourself and be motivated, determinedand disciplined while pursuing your goals.”She is a woman tied to a rich history continuing todedicate her life to building for the future. That iswhy today we honor Penelope Randolph-Biagas asNew Orleans Data News Weekly Trailblazer for theMonth of March 2011.