Aminthe Nungesser
When Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser talks about how Mardi Gras is such a unique tradition in Louisiana, you could say it’s in his DNA because it is. 106 years ago, his great-great aunt Aminthe Nungesser led the initiative for women to have the right to march in Mardi Gras.
“She was the first woman to march in Mardi Gras, they threw stuff at her, men did and said you can’t march. She started the Krewe of Iris which now leads the largest membership at over 3,700,” said Nungesser.
At the time the Krewe of Iris was the only women’s Mardi Gras parade but she inspired others and as they say, the rest is history.
“No was not in her vocabulary, and she believed strongly that women had the right to march just as much as men,” said Nungesser.
And a century later it’s her nephew who’s at the helm of promoting state tourism and one of Louisiana’s most beloved events, Mardi Gras.
“Today I couldn’t imagine Mardi Gras without the incredible women krewes and the great creative ideas they come up with to lure the crowds to catch those throws,” said Nungesser.
Aminthe Nungesser was only 18 years old when she began advocating for women to participate in Mardi Gras. In addition to the Krewe of Iris, she also captained the Krewe of Venus.
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