The committee of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta are pleased to announce this year’s poster artist as Dorothy Sweet Calhoun and poster sponsor being the family of Martha Rivers Henderson. Both will be honored at the official poster unveiling on September 11 at 6 p.m. at the Zwolle Festival Grounds Activity Building.
In addition to the unveiling, those attending the free event will have the option to take part in the “infamous” 52card raffle for a print of George Rodrigue’s “You Can’t Drown the Blues” painting, which refers to Hurricane Katrina. An auction will also be held for the framed original artwork, framed number one poster print, and a framed 39th anniversary poster. In addition, door prizes of a signed and numbered framed print of the fiesta poster and a gift basket will be held. There will also be light refreshments, which usually includes those famous Zwolle tamales.
This year’s poster artist, Dorothy Sweet Calhoun, is a former resident of Sabine Parish who has demonstrated great success in her professional, social and community endeavors which include writing, teaching and representing history of Sabine Parish history. She was born to John “Jack” Wilson Sweet and Orlean Toombs Sweet in Zwolle. She attended the former J.S. Clark High School in Zwolle where she graduated second in her class in junior high and high school as a senior.
After high school she attended Grambling College for four years before receiving her B.S. Degree in Art Education. During her sophomore year at Grambling, she married PFC Johnny Calhoun in 1967. Upon graduation they moved to Grand Prairie, Texas, to begin her career in teaching.
Dorothy attended Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, and received her Master of Art Degree in Art Education with a minor in supervision. She accepted a teaching assignment in August of 1972 at South Grand Prairie High School’s Art Department. Dorothy taught grades nine-12 for 14 years and was the first African American teacher at the school.
She participated as a book vendor in an annual hometown celebration called The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta in 2022. Calhoun is working on documentation of historical records from the former J.S. Clark High School to pass on to Zwolle and Many librarians for parish archive. This history was donated to Dorothy by the late Samuel and Lena Cross.
Dorothy was the 2025 Hall of Fame Accomplishment Award for her dedication and promotion of education and support of the Zwolle community. Her work and talent will continue to impact others.
The Martha Henderson family made the decision to be this year’s poster sponsor in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Zwolle’s civic and cultural heritage. Her commitment to preserving and celebrating the community’s traditions, especially through the Tamale Fiesta, has left an indelible mark on the town. Her parents, LeeRoy Jake Rivers and Leatha (Leone) Rivers, along with her siblings—Mary Lucille “Betty”, the late Joseph “Bub”, Roy, Nancy, the late Gary Mark, and the late Joseph Steve— always took great pride in her tireless efforts and community leadership.
Her daughters; Connie, Janet, and Rhonda Henderson; continue to be inspired by her example of service and cultural stewardship. Martha’s grandsons and great-grandchildren treasure the way she included them in her efforts to preserve and share the area’s rich heritage.
By sponsoring the 2025 Fiesta poster, her family expresses their deep love and appreciation for Martha’s remarkable contributions to the community and parish as a whole.