Dozens gathered to celebrate a street renaming for a community icon from New Iberia. 

During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Shot Street was renamed Velma Lee Lane by a unanimous vote.

District 2 Councilman Marlon Lewis says the renaming of the street was a way to give the street “some new life and a positive outlook.” 

In recent years violent crimes on Shot Street reached records levels for a street once known only by its shotgun houses.  

The former Velma Lee-Perrodin, who died in 2016, was the owner of several businesses in New Iberia area including Velma’s Kiddie School for 45 years.  She was also the creator of the Miss Black Young Woman Beauty Pageant, among other community projects.   

Perrodin was the mother of six.

“She was a shining example for the community,” Lewis said.  

The city’s public works department will begin working on the new street signage immediately, Lewis said.

He anticipates the cost not to exceed $2,000.