LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Sometimes getting a book into the right hands can change a life.

Attorney Dene Thibeaux was inspired to make the legal profession her career after reading John Grisham's "The Client" in the fifth grade, and overcame life's obstacles in pursuit of that goal.

Thibeaux has been named the winner of KLFY's Remarkable Woman of 2024, part of News 10’s parent company Nexstar’s annual tribute to remarkable women throughout the country. The effort seeks to honor women who have made a tremendous difference in community impact, self-achievement, or exhibits innovation, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.

The family law attorney is an advocate for both mothers and fathers fighting for and deserving of visitation and child custody, after an early pregnancy forced the UL-Lafayette student to dropout out, delay law school, get a job and raise her child.

Thibeaux will be able to designate a prize of $1,000 to a non-profit of their choice and receive an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles from April 7-9 for the “Nexstar Woman of the Year” contest. Each market’s “Remarkable Woman” is considered for the title. The Nexstar Charitable Foundation then makes a $10,000 contribution on behalf of the “Nexstar Woman of the Year” to a non-profit of the winner’s choice.

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