As a counselor for students at Louisiana State University’s Medical School, Mollie Wallick became an advocate for gay and lesbian students both at the university and in the larger community. Wallick’s experiences as director of the Communal Hebrew Nursery School led to an invitation to join the LSU Medical School department of psychiatry as educational director of the Therapeutic Nursery School, working with autistic children. After several years, she transitioned to medical student education and counseling. While working with a gay student who felt isolated, Wallick discovered how little support was available for gays and lesbians on campus. Wallick’s teaching, writing, and advocacy helped transform not just the university culture, but the wider community. An address she gave before the New Orleans City Council helped influence the Council to extend rights to gays in housing, public accommodations, and the workplace, making New Orleans the first parish in Louisiana to ensure equal rights for gays and lesbians.

Mollie Wallick was honored at the 2005 Women Who Dared event in New Orleans.