Wonder Woman Saved Me!

Seeking Wonder Woman

A Facebook group I belong to, Vocal+Assist, encouraged us to share stories about women who embody qualities like being Wonderful, Strong, Powerful, and Admirable. Instantly, my thoughts went to my mother, a single parent raising four kids, who was like a supercharged Mary Tyler Moore! However, she passed away 50 years ago, and while she loved me deeply, she was unable to support me in the ways I truly needed as a child, especially since I was grappling with being Gay and facing abuse without her awareness.

With that in mind, I want to highlight someone I truly see as a Wonder Woman: Racheal Hebert. She is an LCSW-BACS, which means she is a licensed clinical social worker and a board-approved clinical supervisor. In simpler terms, she’s a remarkable Therapist. Racheal is the founder and former president and CEO of STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free services to individuals who have experienced sexual trauma. Their offerings include helping survivors comprehend and overcome their trauma, guiding them through the legal system, creating safety plans, and providing legal representation and support.

Expert Training and Experience

Racheal has been dedicated to the field of sexual trauma and violence prevention since 2008. She began her journey as the volunteer coordinator for the Rape Crisis Center, which was previously part of the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Baton Rouge. In 2012, she played a key role in transforming that organization into a 501c3 nonprofit, rebranding it as STAR. From 2012 to 2022, Racheal held the position of CEO at STAR, where she expanded the organization from a small team of two in Baton Rouge to a thriving agency with over 40 full and part-time staff members. Today, STAR operates with an annual budget of $2 million and has established offices in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. Each year, STAR offers free and confidential support services, along with outreach and educational workshops, reaching thousands across Central and South Louisiana. The mission statement of Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) is to support survivors of sexual trauma, improve systems' response, and create social change to end sexual violence

Publicity Links

Honors and Distinctions

1. Honored as “Baton Rouge’s Most Influential Women in Business” by the Baton Rouge Business Report, 2020
2. Honored as “BR Original Young Professional of the Year” by Forum 35, 2019
3. Honored with the LSU Women’s Center “Esprit de Femme Award,” 2015
4. Honored as one of Baton Rouge Business Report’s “40 Under Forty Capital Region’s Rising Stars,” 2015
5. Honored with the “James Midgley Leadership Award” by the LSU Social Work Department, 2013
6. Honored as “Outstanding Feminist Activist” by the LSU Women’s & Gender Studies Department, 2007

Professional & Community Affiliations

Mayor’s Women’s Advancement Commission - Member, 2017-present

National Association of Social Workers - Member, 2011-present

A Young Start, A Kind Heart

Racheal is truly remarkable. From a young age, she dedicated herself to helping others, volunteering at the Rape Crisis Center when she was just 24, all while pursuing her Master’s in Social Work and her Bachelor’s in Sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies at Louisiana State University (LSU). I can’t help but think back to my own 24-year-old self, who was just answering phones, when I did work! Racheal has a warm, approachable personality and a great sense of humor. I’ll never forget the time she teased me on my birthday, asking, “What are ya, 80 now?” I nearly choked on my drink! Her humor is genuine, but what stands out most is her authenticity. In a world full of pretense, it’s refreshing to connect with someone who speaks the truth, isn’t afraid to joke, and isn’t shy about asking tough questions.

I started seeing Racheal in 2017 to address my anger issues. It took me about six months of therapy to piece together the reasons behind my anger, and Racheal guided me gently through that process. Now, I feel so much better and am eager to support other survivors of sexual assault, which I hope to do soon. Racheal is not only funny and dynamic but also incredibly hardworking; she was recently named the Executive Director of The Red Shoes, a Center for Personal & Spiritual Growth. I genuinely don’t know where I would be without her. There were countless moments when I felt like giving up, but she was always there to listen, no matter the time. Although she isn’t taking on new clients, I feel fortunate to still see her twice a month.

Conclusion

Women are Remarkable! Aren't they? I'm not saying Racheal is one of a kind, I'm saying we need more Racheal Hebert's in the world because you can never have enough kind people in the world. Kindness is NOT over-rated, if anything it is under-rated. That's why this year I plan to be more kind while also being an advocate for myself. 2024 was sadly a year of fake people and disappointments. One thing Racheal has taught me is about Self-Care and I am working on being my own best friend. So Vocal+Plus, this is my wonder woman, Racheal Hebert!

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Thanks for reading! - Sam Harty