Carol Wise first came to New Orleans as a college student at Sophie Newcomb College, and after a brief stint in her native Chicago, returned to New Orleans in 1953 as a new bride. As she became more involved with the Jewish community, Wise, a real estate agent, was frustrated that women’s organizations were geared to the schedules and interests of stay-at-home wives and mothers, with few offerings for working women. She formed the New Orleans Jewish Federation’s first group for professional women in the 1980s and rose to the Federation’s executive committee, eventually serving as president. She also helped found the Women’s Leadership initiative for United Way, and after Katrina worked intensively with United Way to restore childcare facilities and rebuild playgrounds throughout New Orleans.

To view Carol Wise's full interview, please visit the Internet Archive.