Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Betty Ward-Cooper is the daughter of the late Dennis, Sr. and Gertrude (Brown) Ward. Betty was born in Wisner, Louisiana, of Franklin Parish. She attended Wisner Elementary School; then, Wisner-Gilbert High School and graduated Valedictorian in 1969. At the same time of being honored as the top graduate, she received the top award of excellence in the category of oratory at the annual state competition sponsored by the Louisiana High School Rally Association. She earned a scholarship to Northeast Louisiana University at Monroe, Louisiana, later renamed the University of Louisiana at Mo...