Bria Burrell portrays Sojourner Truth. Lee Ball Photography

On November 3, a crowd of community members, dignitaries, scholars and artists gathered in Bouligny Plaza in New Iberia to celebrate the unveiling of the historical marker commemorating the legacy of Emma Wakefield-Paillet, M.D. On this day, a painting inspired by her life was revealed, a poem in her honor was recited and a play based on her accomplishment was performed.  But until this day, many people were unaware who Emma Wakefield-Paillet, M.D. was, let alone the deep impact she left on Louisiana history.

Dr. Wakefield-Paillet, a New Iberia native, was Louisiana’s first black female physician. She graduated with honors from the Medical Department of New Orleans University in 1897 and received her Louisiana medical license on April 15, 1897. While her accomplishments are astounding, her history is equally as intriguing. She was born in New Iberia on Nov. 21, 1868 to Senator Samuel Wakefield and Mrs. Amelia Valentine Wakefield. By the age of 30, she had opened her own medical practice in New Orleans. So why had this esteemed legacy not been preserved? That’s exactly what Phebe Archon Hayes, Ph.D. wanted to know.

Dr. Hayes established the Iberia African American Historical Society, Inc. for the purpose of researching, disseminating, preserving and commemorating the history of African Americans in Iberia Parish. Dr. Hayes also partnered with the UL Center for Louisiana Studies as a repository of IAAHS historical collections. She’s conducted numerous interviews in Iberia Parish and has collected various artifacts, including pictures, 8 mm films, documents and more – all to bring to light a history that should be celebrate, and not hidden.

“Whether it’s through IAAHS or another organization, the main issue is that people in a community take responsibility for learning beyond what they picked up in school,” Dr. Hayes explains of her local preservation efforts. “Especially when it comes to history. It wasn’t always necessarily the truth that we were being taught. Following the defeat of the South in the Civil War, there was a concerted effort in the Jim Crow South to attempt to distort the truth.”

Through IAAHS, Dr. Hayes submitted an application to the Louisiana Office of Tourism for a historical marker commemorating Dr. Wakefield-Paillet’s life. The marker is located in Bouligny Plaza, facing Main Street. At it’s unveiling, the community came together to celebrate one of Iberia Parish’s most accomplished former residents.

“I am so proud of my community and grateful for the way everyone has embraced this project through their donations and kind expressions,” Dr. Hayes expresses. “ Dr. Emma Wakefield-Paillet will forever be remembered as part of the history of Iberia Parish.” 

Jane Braud, the Director of the Main Street Program, echoes this sentiment, explaining the excitement that so many have knowing the full picture of the region’s history is finally coming together.

“New Iberia’s history is so rich,” Braud states. “As we listen and learn from those who share stories about the important noteworthy individuals who have called this area home, our continued education about our Parish is never ending.  A prime example is the story of Emma Wakefiled-Paillet. It’s amazing to see this beautiful historical marker acknowledging her and her history.”

Dr. Wakefield-Paillet’s marker may be the first, but local historical organizations are already at work to bring the stories of other founding community members to light. Iberia Parish’s history is so robust, and this is just the first step in telling the complete story of exactly who helped shaped this Parish.