Doris Lindsey Holland Rhodes, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana	
Submitted by St. Helena Historical Association

Source: St. Helena Historical Association Quarterly, Spring, 1998, Issue Fifty-five
Published by the St. Helena Historical Association, Route 1, Box 131, Amite, LA 70422



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St. Helena native Doris Lindsey Holland Rhodes had the distinction of being the first woman 
legislator in Louisiana   That came about with her appointment in May, 1936, to fill the 
unexpired term of her husband, State Senator Thomas Myers Holland.  His untimely death left 
Mrs. Holland with two small children, Philip and Dorothy Jane, to rear as well as the family 
paper the St. Helena Echo to run. Mrs. Holland sought a seat in her own right the following 
term and was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. She served in that body for 
two terms from 1940 to 1948.
Leaving public office she continued an active life. She served as publisher and editor of the 
St. Helena Echo until  she married James Harrell Rhodes, a prominent banker and merchant of 
Zachary, Louisiana. Mrs. Rhodes made her home there until his death. She returned  to Greensburg 
in her later years and remained busy until ill health confined her to her bed.
In 1992 at the Governor's Conference on Women, Governor Edwin Edwards honored  Mrs. Rhodes with 
a public service award. She was also recognized by Nicholls State University Center for Women 
and Government for her contributions. In 1994 she was inducted as a charter member into the 
Hall of Fame for Women and Government.
Among  Mrs. Rhodes' activities were  membership in the Zachary United Methodist Church, 
United Methodist Women, board member of the
Alumni of the Louisiana Legislature,  associate member  of the Music Club of Baton Rouge, 
the Baton Rouge Garden Club, Louisiana Colonials, and Halimah Chapter National Society Daughters 
of the American Revolution.
Mrs. Rhodes was born December 12,1909, the daughter of Hollis Womack Lindsey and Minerva 
Thompson Lindsey.   She died May 30, 1997  and was buried in Greensburg.