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LAPLACE — Retired 40th Judicial District Judge Madeline Jasmine will be honored this weekend as Blessed to Be a Blessing presents the “Meet Me at the Pray Ground” Phenomenal Woman Brunch. The brunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 6 at 321 Events Grand Venue, located at 1929 W. Airline Highway Ste. 2021 in LaPlace.

A live jazz and gospel performance by international recording artist Tara Alexander will be featured during this event. Brunch food and bottomless mimosas will be provided. The cost is $25 per ticket or $250 to reserve a table for eight. To purchase tickets, please contact Eliza Eugene at 504-451-4712 or Stacey Millet at 504-228-6051.

Blessed to Be a Blessing Founder Eliza Eugene said the Phenomenal Woman Brunch is a way to acknowledge the women who have paved the way for the next generation by inspiring others to break down barriers.

The 2019 Phenomenal Woman Brunch honored Keeshawn Carter Davenport, a St. John Parish native and head coach for the University of New Orleans women’s basketball team. No one was honored in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Eugene, the Honorable Madeline Jasmine was selected as this year’s honoree because of the impact she’s had on family, friends and strangers in the courtroom and in the community.

Jasmine served as the Division A judge for the 40^th Judicial District Court for 30 years. She was a trailblazer from the start as the first African American elected to the position during a time when there were very few people who looked like her in public office. The last day of her final term ended on Dec. 31, 2020.

Jasmine told L’OBSERVATEUR, “I was in the office every day. My presence, I think, gave people a level of comfort to know that they were having their issues heard and thoroughly looked at. I feel you have a level of comfort when you see someone who looks like you, who has experienced some of the things you’ve experienced, and you know your concerns are being considered.”

Jasmine also impacted lives by starting the 40^th Judicial District Drug Court and a “Save Our Youth Day” in St. John the Baptist Parish. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a founding member of the St. John Alliance for Progress and the West Bank Civic Association.

“Judge Jasmine is this year’s honoree because she’s truly been a role model to many women in our community and beyond. She is truly a compassionate leader, and she gives back to the community in so many ways,” Eugene said.

Sunday’s “Meet Me at the Pray Ground” Phenomenal Woman Brunch will also feature a scholarship presentation in memory of the late Beverly Harris, a longtime educator in St. John the Baptist Parish.

“We wanted to keep her legacy alive, so we thought this would be an opportunity for young adults to have assistance with their college tuition while recognizing another trailblazer,” Eugene said.

Scholarship recipients are Ironisha Bates, Trinity Judea, Kalup Davis and Amaya Williams. These students were selected based on community contributions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.