Mary Frey Eaton (2014)
Louisiana Legends
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Interview
Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2014-11-09
Duration: 00:26:50
Subjects: EATON, MARY FREY | Frey, Fred C. (Frederick Charles), 1891-1980 | Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.) | Eaton, L. W., Jr. | Williams, T. Harry (Thomas Harry), 1909-1979 | World War II | Philanthropists
Contributors:
- Courtney, Beth Host
- Yancey, Allegra Nevils Producer
- Eaton, Mary Frey Interviewee
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from November 9, 2014, features an interview with Mary Frey Eaton conducted by Beth Courtney. Eaton, a native of Baton Rouge, is a community activist and philanthropist in Baton Rouge. She founded or co-founded several organizations, including the Community Fund for the Arts and Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful. She also served on the Baton Rouge Metro Council from 1989-2000. She discusses: her early childhood in Baton Rouge; her father Major Fred C. Frey’s involvement with LSU; how she met her husband, L.W. “Puna” Eaton, Jr.; pre-World War II Baton Rouge; her studies in history at LSU; working for professor T. Harry Williams; her husband’s deployments during World War II; her community involvement; helping her husband’s Senate campaign; her husband’s sudden death; her run for the Baton Rouge Metro Council at age 55; the obligation of public service; serving as Mayor Pro Tem; and her group of friends, known as “the widows.”