Ayanna Shanks
Mardi Gras
& Women's History
"In 1941, Aminthe Nungesser forced Mardi Gras parades to open to women when the Krewe of Venus rolled in the parade with 12 floats and 125 female members."
I was a teenager, long before I visited for the first time
in 1994 at age 23. Imagine how excited I was at age 30,
to meet my biological father and discover that he had been living between New Orleans and Baton Rouge since 1980. I also gained six brothers and family throughout the Gulf-States. Fast forward twenty years and I have adopted Baton Rouge as my second home.
Much of what I know of New Orleans traditions, I learned from my “Bonus Mom”, who was born and raised in the West Bank of New Orleans. Through her strength and perseverance, she became a Registered Nurse and later an Associate Professor of Nursing. She grew up during a time when there weren’t many opportunities for women, and Louisiana and all the South were segregated. Louisiana was the site of major change in the United States, Ruby Bridges, a little Black girl in New Orleans, desegregated U.S. southern schools at the William Frantz Elementary School in 1960.
Before that, in 1941, Aminthe Nungesser, forced a change in the traditions of Mardi Gras Krewes and parades, which were exclusive to White men. Ms. Nungesser founded the Krewe of Venus, the first all-female Krewe to participate in the Mardi Gras parade. They rolled with 12 floats and 125 female members. Prior to this, women historically played the role of debutantes at Mardi Gras balls, never being allowed to form their own Krewes (private social clubs) or to roll in parades. Black men and women were also prohibited from participating and only used for labor.
The first Mardi Gras was celebrated by the Krewe of Comus in 1703, in Mobile, Louisiana Territory (now Mobile, Alabama). It was later celebrated in the State of Louisiana, in the city of New Orleans in 1857 by the Krewe of Comus. As I previously mentioned, krewes and parading were exclusive to white men.
"However, it wasn’t until 1991 that a New Orleans city ordinance officially required the desegregation of Mardi Gras Krewes. "
Thanks to the trailblazing efforts of Aminthe Nungesser who first formed the Krewe of Iris and then, the Krewe of Venus, many female Mardi Gras Krewes followed, i.e. Krewe of Helios, Krewe of Diana, Krewe of Isis, Krewe of Pandora, Krewe of Cleopatra and Krewe of Eve.
However, it wasn’t until 1991 that a New Orleans city ordinance officially required the desegregation of Mardi Gras Krewes. In response to that ordinance, the Krewe of Comus stopped parading, that year was their last participation in Mardi Gras.
"The significance of a woman, a Black woman, rolling in the parade with the first Black Mardi Krewe of Zulu, formed in 1909, was so special to us ..."
In the 21st century, the Krewe of Muses was formed as an “open membership” female krewe, the Krewe of Nyx followed, and then, the Krewe of Athena. Each of these Krewes has over 1,000 members! Today, you can still catch the Krewe of Iris, Krewe of Isis, Krewe of Athena, Krewe of Eve, Krewe of Cleopatra, Krewe of Muses, and Krewe of Nyx roll through neighborhoods in the Greater New Orleans area.
I was fortunate enough to watch my “Bonus Mom” roll in the Krewe of Zulu, last year. I cannot express to you how much this meant to her and our family. Family members flew in from across the country to share this experience and honor with her. The significance of a woman, a Black woman, riding on a float in the parade with the first Black Mardi Gras Krewe, the Krewe of Zulu (1909), was so special to us. It was the culmination of all her accomplishments.
I encourage everyone to experience Mardi Gras at least once in their lifetime. It is much more than libations, beads, and topless women (which only occurs on Bourbon Street, and usually tourists)! There is something for everyone and every family. Parades roll from morning to late night, throughout the greater metro area.
Adults and children alike will love it!
-Ayanna Shanks
To learn more about the history of Mardi Gras parading and Krewes, see additional links provided by Ayanna Shanks
https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/16/us/zulu-new-orleans-blackface/index.html
https://www.kreweofzulu.com
https://www.washingtonpost.com/gender-identity/this-all-women-parade-changed-the-landscape-of-mardi-gras-come-march-with-them/