Special to
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — The Precious Gems Award “A Celebration of Phenomenal Women” was held Oct. 12, highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments of African American women in the community.

Those honored included Judge Madeline Jasmine Bourgeois, Joyce Howard Brown, Irene Snyder Burl, Viola Elaine Telfair, Loretta Edwina Belvin and Patricia G. Watson.

The event’s guest speaker was Grammy-award winning artist Irma Thomas.

The host of the event, Antoine Jasmine, received an award from State Rep. Randal Gaines to highlight his recent elevation into the Episcopacy.

The event also provided an opportunity to raise funding for HIV/AIDS research and awareness through the Right Choice Project, which is committed to excellence by providing free testing every Tuesday, educational programs and counseling to the community.