far the greatest animal rights advocate in the state,” says Jeff Dorson, executive director of the Humane Society of Louisiana. And she’s probably the oldest. The only child of Helen and C. Sidney Frederick (Covington’s district attorney from 1922-30), Holly graduated from Ursuline Academy, earned a BA degree in sociology and physical education from Brenau College in Georgia and an MS degree in recreation from LSU in 1941. (That’s quite an accomplishment considering fewer than 4 percent of American women had more than four years of college at the time.) With the exceptional qualification of a master’s degree in recreation, Holly served two years with the Red Cross in the European Theater of Operation during World War II. There, she was in charge of providing recreational programs for infantry soldiers on leave for rest and relaxation. While on that assignment, she met and married an American soldier, Robert Reynolds. Unfortunately, when the couple reunited after the war, the marriage fell apart. “I was very upset about the divorce,” says Holly. “I don’t know why I got a dog at that point, but for some reason I did. I think God had a hand in it.” The dog was a stray, born on Abita Road in Covington on the 4th of July. Holly named him Yankee Doodle Dandy. Although Dandy lived only a
by Karen B. Gibbs
Animal Advocate Extraordinaire
HOLLY FREDERICK REYNOLDS has a “to do” list that looks something like this: • • •
Holly Reynolds and her beloved rescue, Chloe. 34
HFR Foundation board meeting. Arrange for Covid-19 pet food distribution. Contact legislators regarding tethering.
Impressive, right? What’s even more impressive is that Ms. Reynolds is almost 102 years old! A citizen lobbyist, she has the respect—and the phone numbers—of area lawmakers and doesn’t hesitate to bend their ear when it comes to animals. “Holly is by
Inside Northside
short time—he died in 1950—having Dandy made Holly realize what a positive impact an animal can have on one’s life. “I was at rock bottom, and Dandy got me through the divorce. That’s when I decided to devote my free time to the care of animals.” Unlike today, there weren’t many Humane Societies in 1953. “There was a need for someone to take over the problem of strays and unwanted pets,” says Holly. “Dogs were traveling in packs. They were sick, hungry and attacking people and pets.” Hoping to form a local Humane Shelter, Holly contacted the Louisiana SPCA for help in getting the project rolling. “I put an ad in the St. Tammany Farmer and asked people who were interested in starting a Humane Society to call Holly Reynolds at 272. (That was my phone number back then—just
photos courtesy: HOLLY FREDERICK REYNOLDS
Holly Frederick Reynolds
