Recognizing Women's History Month - 2022

It is said that behind every great man there is an even greater woman. This could not be truer of M. Elizabeth Sporl Schoen. She married Phillip Schoen on January 21, 1891 and became part of the Schoen Family business. They lived in New Orleans and while she raised their eight children, she also helped her husband run the funeral home incorporating a women’s touch. After the death of her husband, she took over the family business and ran it as President for many years which was unheard of at the time. Her wisdom led the family’s purchase of the iconic Canal Street property which is the current funeral home property today.

The daughter of Philiip and Elizabeth Schoen, Mildred was raised in the family business. Mildred was the first female embalmer/funeral director in the state of Louisiana and began working in the family business. She loved the Northshore area and wanted to make it her home. So, with her mother’s business savvy and the support of her father, Mildred purchased the Badon Funeral Home in Covington and started the Schoen Funeral Home tradition. The original location of the funeral home was on Gibson Street adjacent to Hebert's Cleaners. Mildred partnered her business with her husband, Walter Malloy. 

Paula Robert

International Women’s Day means to me that as women we are here to make a presence and we should be celebrated. We are here to encourage and motivate all women. It gives me confidence that my daughters are growing in a world which will consider them for their character and capabilities. It also means we have an equal voice in the workplace and not judged by our race. As women we are strong. 

Stefanie Weigel

Women have not always been a welcome part the work force. The funeral industry was very much a male-dominated industry when I started out 14 years ago. To see how far we as women funeral directors have come in this business is amazing. In my opinion, women are natural-born caretakers. It’s second nature for us to be compassionate and empathetic, qualities that are definitely needed in order to be successful in this field.

Mel Byrd

International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on how far we have come and set the target for where we still need to go. There is much to be applauded, but still much more work to be done. I am grateful to work in an industry where that progress is being made, at a firm where women have always had a place at the decision-making table.

Tiffany Pollack

To quote G.D. Anderson, “Feminism isn't about making womenstronger. Women are already strong, it's about changing the way the worldperceives that strength."

I think the funeral industry is finally noticing ourstrength, as many other professions are. It’s my hope that we all continue towork towards universal equality among all human beings.

Mary Schoen

My grandmother always told me it was a man’s world when I was little. When I started in cosmetics at 19 year old all the reps were men. I worked my way through the Cosmetic industry and in the end, I was Vice President of the Central US and Canada for Laura MERCIER cosmetics. I think my grandmother would be so proud.

Susan Schoen Holmes

Women have always played a vital role in the family business. They were definitely roles models for me.

I am so proud that the company that my ancestors founded has grown to include so many women in this formerly male dominated industry. There have been many changes over the years but the increased inclusion of women in so many areas is the greatest.