Chancellor Steib Welcomes New Orleans Council on Aging to Delgado for Mother’s Day Celebration, Hosted by Councilmember Helena Moreno

May 07, 2025

Delgado Community College served as the setting for the New Orleans Council on Aging Mother’s Day Celebration on May 6, 2025, hosted by Councilmember Helena Moreno. Journalist Arthel Neville emceed the event, which featured heartfelt reflections from beloved New Orleans natives, expressions of gratitude from city leaders, and musical performances by local artists, including Donna Glapion, Clerk of First City Court; Doreen Ketchens, clarinetist and vocalist; Robin Barnes, The Songbird of New Orleans; and Shaun Ward, violinist.

Mother's Day Celebration group photo

Pictured from left are Donna Glapion, Robin Barnes and her mother Betty Barnes,
Helena Moreno, Arthel Neville, and Chancellor Steib. 

Attendees enjoyed a prize raffle and a meal of grillades, chicken, salad, and bread pudding, provided by Toups Meatery, Cochon Butcher, and Raising Cane’s.

“This is a wonderful celebration of the most powerful, most resilient, and most selfless forces in the world—mothers,” said Dr. Larissa Littleton Steib, chancellor of Delgado Community College as she welcomed attendees. “As mothers, you are our first teachers, our greatest cheerleaders, and often, you are the glue that holds families together. It is my sincere hope that you feel the love and gratitude for the lives that you have touched—not just today, but every single day. As the Chancellor of Delgado Community College, I appreciate you.”

Representatives from various community service organizations were present, including the New Orleans Council On Aging, Arthur Monday Jr. Multi-Service Center, Carrollton Hollygrove Senior Center, Clover Adult Day Care, Kinship Senior Center, Mercy Endeavors Senior Center, Pontchartrain Park Senior Center, Lower Ninth Ward Senior Center, Christopher Inn, Guste High Rise Apartments, and Treme Community Education Program (Harmony House). More than 250 seniors attended.

New Orleans Councilmember Helena Moreno gave an emotional tribute to her mother and late grandmother, who inspired her career in public service. Also honoring the mothers in attendance, Moreno said, “I wanted to make sure that you all understand how celebrated you need to be for all that you've done for our city, for our community. It's been a privilege and an honor to serve you.”

Chancellor Littleton-Steib noted that Delgado offers lifelong learning opportunities to individuals of all ages. As the oldest and largest community college in Louisiana, Delgado has provided the New Orleans area with academic programs, workforce training, and personal and professional development pathways for more than a century.

Mother's Day Celebration     Helena Moreno speaks with attendees

Doreen Ketchens 

Robin Barnes with her mother         

Chancellor Steib with attendee     Shaun Ward with attendee