Kathy Andre-Eames grew up in Brusly, Louisiana, a small town across the river from Baton Rouge. Her father was a Southern gentleman, part of a semi-secret organization associated with White Citizen’s Councils of Mississippi. Her family was racist and intolerant, but Andre-Eames was wise and faithful enough to form her own opinions about the world. As a child, she decided that she wanted to grow up to be holy like St. Theresa.
Attending a Catholic high school, Andre-Eames served as a Sister at St. Mary of the Pines. As a student, she took part in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s memorial service in Dallas, Texas. She fondly remembers the crowd singing “We Shall Overcome.” Before taking her final vows, she taught at Southern University as part of their Upward Bound program.
Andre-Eames received a scholarship to study at the University of Dallas, where she received her bachelor of arts in music and her master of arts in English. She worked for more than eighteen years as a high-school teacher in East Baton Rouge Parish, for three years as a professor at Louisiana State University, and as a department manager and executive manager at Sears.
After meeting and marrying her husband, George Washington Eames Jr.—a black, paraplegic activist—she dedicated her life to his mission for civil equality. An unwavering supporter of her husband, Andre-Eames assisted him in his work with the local branch of the NAACP. Andre-Eames would help her husband write, edit and publish letters, speeches, and press releases. She was not only his wife; she was his fellow advocate for justice.
At her husband’s funeral, the president of the Baton Rouge Branch NAACP honored her with these words: “If George was Mr. Civil Rights, then you are Mrs. Civil Rights.” Andre-Eames is retired and lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. |