It wasn’t until years later that Renee’ Boutte Myer, assistant director for the School of Social Work, realized the significance of being crowned as the University’s first African-American homecoming queen.
Since then, Myer said the University has become more welcoming and embraced diversity. But during Myer’s collegiate career, the University still lacked a large African-American population and prejudice was more prevalent.
“Being a student at LSU then, you didn’t see many African-Americans in the faculty or staff,” Myer said. “I remember how important it was to see someone with a smiling face that looked like me.”
Tiger Stadium fell silent the night Myer’s name was called during halftime of the football game between LSU and Mississippi State on November 16, 1991. Myer said not everyone paid attention to halftime that night because they were getting concessions, but the section behind the end zone, where most African-Americans were sitting, stayed to watch. As Myer accepted the crown, the section went wild.
“After the serenade, a little while later I went to sit in the area where the majority of African-American students were,” Myer said. “The applause, hugs and congratulatory wishes was overwhelming.”
Linda Smith Griffin, associate librarian, said in an e-mail that she has known Myer for a number of years, but more as a colleague rather than when Myer was a student.
“I was on campus in 1991, and I recall the excitement, surprise and elation of many at LSU and in the surrounding community at large [for homecoming],” Griffin said.
As Myer walked off the field, she was greeted by her sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta of the Iota Theta Chapter, and they sang their sorority song together. Myer said the moment is most memorable to her because it elevated her awareness of what actually happened.
On the same night, David Duke, University alumnus and former grand wizard for the Ku Klux Klan, lost to Edwin Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election.
Myer said she couldn’t process the result of her homecoming court win, given that the election was also on the same night.
“With LSU seen as a predominantly white university and Edwin Edwards’ win over David Duke … [it was] a significant step with Louisiana moving forward from past injustices and discrimination issues,” Myer said. “It really brought it home.”
She had been nominated to serve on the homecoming court the previous year and was selected as one the five finalists from a group of 10 semi-finalists. Both years, Myer was not the only African-American female candidate.
“I was nominated again, and I initially declined,” Myer said. “One of my sorority sisters worked in admissions and called me to her office. She said that the fact that I was on the court was significant. Had the conversation not happened, I wouldn’t have done it.”
Myer said the biggest impact of her crowning was that it enabled a little more dialogue about diversity. The University had already made steps to change and had initiated many firsts with the first black basketball player, Collis Temple Jr., and the first black Student Government president, Kerry Pourciau.
“The Barbie doll stigma was shaken up,” Myer said. “[The crowning] has enabled individuals who would not be inclined to partake in other activities on campus to take a risk and get involved in terms of leadership and Student Government … to have further diversity, inclusion and a progressive university.”
Today, Myer sees the pride her 12-year-old daughter has in her mother’s achievement.
“At her school, she didn’t see color, although she is a minority,” Myer said. “I give her the same sorts of encouragements and tell her that she can do anything. You are a leader within and you can express yourself that way.”
 
 
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Contact Raylea Barrow at [email protected]