Enterprise, Alabama (2025) — It’s been twenty years since Harloyn Benjamin, the visionary behind Women Who Care, was compelled to uproot her family and organization, relocating to the Wiregrass region after the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina on her native New Orleans. This catastrophic event remains one of the most significant natural disasters in U.S. history.
“We evacuated just a day before the storm hit, and I had been warning my husband for days that I had a terrible premonition,” she recalled. “I didn’t watch any media coverage at the time, but when I finally did, it nearly broke me.”
Although Benjamin lived slightly west of New Orleans, the storm—initially a Category 3 that escalated to a Category 5—ravaged her community with severe wind damage and some flooding. The horrific storm claimed over a thousand lives and left countless areas submerged for days.
“Two decades later, when you drive into New Orleans via I-10, you can still find neighborhoods without water or electricity,” she pointed out.
Benjamin highlighted the struggle posed by exorbitantly high insurance rates in Louisiana, noting that hers reached a staggering $6,000 annually.
“Many think elevating homes is the solution, but not everyone can afford to relocate,” she explained.
Despite the state receiving $200 billion in hurricane relief, Benjamin finds it disheartening to witness ongoing hardship. “The funds allocated should have made a more meaningful impact, and it troubles me deeply because I’m one of those affected individuals.”
After relocating to Geneva in 2005 and then to Enterprise shortly before a tornado struck in 2007, Benjamin reflected on how her ordeal during the disaster redefined her mission to uplift others.
“For me, in times of crisis, people need support. I understand that feeling of seeking help and not being able to find it, so I strive to be that beacon of hope for someone enduring hardship. You never know how your assistance can transform someone’s life,” she shared.