Alumnae

Bernardine Weaver Kelly:
First African-American Female
Captain of the NOPD

And a Proud Maryite to Boot!

When the New Orleans Police Department made history on July 6, 2004 with the promotion of the first African-American woman to the rank of captain, were you really surprised that the woman was a Maryite?

I wasn’t. Maryites have long held prominent positions all over the world: from our city’s government, to the fields of medicine, education, public service, law, Corporate America, and more.

If these walls could talk, they’d tell fascinating and entertaining tales of the many young ladies who have passed through her doors, many of whom, although they themselves were unaware at the time, were destined for great things. [At right, our principal, Sr. Jennie Jones, Captain Bernardine Weaver Kelly, and Sr. Greta Jupiter, president of St. Mary's Academy]

Her rise through the ranks was met with many challenges, and Captain Kelly is grateful for the training she received at St. Mary’s Academy, which she credits with instilling in her the tools she would need to effectively and gracefully triumph over them.

Captain Kelly recently took time out of her busy schedule to drop by her Alma Mater to share with me some of her fondest Maryite memories.

Upon her arrival, Captain Kelly was overcome with a wave of nostalgia. “I was immediately transported back 30 years as I heard Mrs. Regis shushing a student!” she said with a warm smile.

If you pull out your 1972 yearbook, you’ll find a photo of Bernardine Weaver with “computer programmer” listed as her career of choice. Although she was the recipient of a scholarship to Spelman College in 1972, the thought of leaving home did not appeal to her. Deciding to remain in New Orleans, Bernardine took a variety of odd jobs while deciding what it was she wanted to do with her life.

One of her first jobs was as a cashier at Schwegmann’s on Old Gentilly Road. “I vividly remember arriving at Schwegmann and filling out the job application, not knowing whether or not I’d get the job. But, upon seeing St. Mary’s Academy listed on my application, I was hired immediately. St. Mary’s had the reputation in the community of being a top private school, and my having graduated from here spoke volumes."

Realizing that working for minimum wage would never do, Bernardine tried her hand at other jobs.

In 1974, a chance meeting with former Police Chief, Arnesta Taylor, who was then a sergeant in the Applicant Investigation Division of the New Orleans Police Department, would lead to her career in law enforcement. “It was during a time when the department was actively recruiting women. They also had a height requirement – for men and women. Being 5’9”, I had no problem with that. I felt that I didn’t have anything to lose, so I decided to give law enforcement a try.”

After passing her civil service exam and background checks, she was hired. Bernardine remembers thinking, “this is temporary. I’ll just do it until I decide what to do with my life.” But soon the challenges and excitement of police work grabbed hold of her, and she knew that law enforcement was what she was called to do. In her class at the academy were eight other women, and while many of them were assigned to street patrol immediately out of the academy, Captain Kelly was assigned to the Rape Investigation Squad, which was a specialized unit. There she was able to learn a lot of the ins and outs of the department.

One of the challenges she faced being a woman on the Police force was that “although there was no difference between men and women on paper, the mentality of some of the men was another story.” Many male officers, as well as their wives were opposed to women partners, both feeling that women weren’t up to the task. “Some commanders were reluctant to deal with female patrolmen, believing that we were not physically and mentally fit to effectively handle the dangers of police work, and so we were not readily accepted.” Also, being an era where there weren’t many Blacks on the force, Captain Kelly says, “Blacks were experiencing many problems – and I was a double minority – Black female. But, I was fortunate enough to work with people who allowed me to prove myself and let me do my job.”

The interesting thing, according to Captain Kelly, was that although male officers had concerns, many criminals became passive when faced with a female police officer. “Back then, females could bring a sense of calmness to a situation because men were still raised to respect women.”

We then took a leisurely stroll down memory lane...

How did St. Mary’s Academy prepare you for a career in law enforcement?

“St. Mary’s provided structure and discipline. It built on the structure that was in place at home. My mom was a strict disciplinarian. We were expected to behave a certain way. Although they dealt with us at school, if they called home, you knew you would really be dealt with.”

You made an interesting comment, “St. Mary’s was a spin-off of home life.” What did you mean by that?

Well, they didn’t take any stuff off of us. I was here under Sr. Demetria, Sr. Joseph Angela, Sr. Marie Francine, and Sr. Bernadette, to name a few. The environment was like home – they took care of us. If we did well we were praised, if we misbehaved, we were disciplined. Just like at home. There was such a sense of family here. There were so many good things that happened to me those 4 years. At the time, I thought I’d be so glad to get away after graduation. But when I left, I missed it so much. [Above, Captain Kelly shares a moment with former teacher, St. Cynthia Marie Jackson]

What is your fondest Maryite memory?

Sr. Joseph Angela and Sr. Marie Francine took me under their wings. My parents weren’t wealthy, but we were never made to feel out of place. If you wanted to learn, and you wanted to be here, provisions were made. I worked in the Co-Op the majority of my time here. I remember in my senior year wanting to be in the debutante court, but I didn’t think it would be possible because of financial reasons. Sr. Francine, Sr. Joseph Angela and Sr. Timothy got together and helped me. And you know what? Thanks to them, I was first maid! I’ll never forget it. It was my dream, and they helped me achieve it. Those three sisters made it possible. The night of the ball, the coming out, was the highlight of my senior year, and my entire senior year was the highlight of my education.

Many graduates admit to becoming emotional as the school comes in to view as they round the curve. What were your thoughts as you drove up?

Driving down the road this morning, I remembered walking down this road. When there wasn’t even a stoplight, and we had to dart between cars every morning just to cross Chef Highway to come to school. I remember the Sisters going all the way to the capital to fight for the light so our girls could be safe.

Any final thoughts to share with your Maryite sisters?

My parents sacrificed to put five daughters through St. Mary's Academy. I know how hard it was in the 70’s, and I also know that St. Mary’s has always worked with parents because the Sisters knew how important it was to the parents that their daughters graduate from St. Mary’s. Parents knew that we were getting more than our ABCs, we were learning how to behave like young ladies. St. Mary's Academy prepares young ladies for life.

Captain Kelly is married to Rev. Hall Lanis Kelly Jr., who is the pastor of the East Jerusalem Baptist Church. They have one daughter, Lanis Theresa Kelly.

For more on the career of Captain Bernardine Weaver Kelly, '72 - click here!