SMHA took on the powerful plantation system entrenched in Louisiana’s economy

• Workers saw the wealth they were creating, and like SMHA’s first Board President, Gustave Rhodes said to Congress, “I am proud of the work I do on sugar cane but I am mighty sad at what they think it is worth”

SMHA is currently partnering with Dr. Phebe A. Hayes, Founder and President of the Iberia African American Historical Society to reproduce and distribute SMHA’s book – “Plantation Portraits – Women in the Louisiana Cane Fields”

Together the women, row by row, planted the sugarcane economy

THEY WILL BE SEEN AND COUNTED

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SMHA Created Teche Action Clinic,  1st medical and dental clinic for sugar-cane farmworker families

• Charity Hospitals were the only care available but were only located miles away in larger cities
• Dr. Wiltz worked in the clinic and loved the model, then created 17 more clinics across rural, coastal Louisiana
• SMHA and Dr. Wiltz got it done just in time.  Today there are no more charity hospitals in Louisiana.

President Lorna Bourg is advisor to HSEDD working on the community’s strategic plan.  HSEDD is committed to economic revitalization, sustainable development and improved quality of life for New Iberia’s historic West End – community resources, health access, workforce opportunity, cultural preservation, and entrepreneurship

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SMHA Supports all aspects of Rural Recovery and Development

• After the hurricanes SMHA helped recover 1,064 homes, businesses & churches recovered after the hurricanes in 120 small towns & villages
• SMHA goes where no one would, NO government money, NO paperwork requirements
• Concentrate on those willing to help themselves, are generous and show appreciation

SMHA often received hugs and tears from home owners saying “you are the first one to check on us, NO ONE has come!”

We continue to stand ready to jump in and find those forgotten families!

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SMHA broke many barriers to create Iberia Parish’s 1st and only Traditional Neighborhood Development

Barriers such as restrictions on lot sizes, on who can live where, social status

Teche Ridge brings people together and makes it affordable.  SMHA created Teche Ridge to show it could be done.

• Teche Ridge is an innovative master-planned $150 million Smart Growth development
• When fully built, will bring new homes, commercial property, and civic space to Iberia Parish
• SMHA transitioned Teche Ridge in 2025 to a developer taking Teche Ridge into the future using private investments
• New homes are being built, additional landscaping and commercial are being planned and big updates coming to the central park

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