Irma Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," has treated baring her soul as serious work for the past six decades. Internationally known, she is the recipient of numerous awards, which include several Grammy nominations, a 2007 Grammy win for After the Rain, Best Contemporary Blues Album, the W.C. Handy Award, an Offbeat Magazine Award, a Big Easy Award, a Family Services Award and a Mo Jo Magazine Legends Award. Ms. Thomas was recently inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. In August 2009, a compilation album with three new songs titled The Soul Queen of New Orleans: 50th Anniversary Celebration was released from Rounder Records to commemorate Thomas' 50th year as a recording artist. Last year the documentary, “Irma: My Life in Music,” debuted on PBS stations across the country. The Irma Thomas Center for W.I.S.E. (Women in Search of Excellence) Women opened in 2006, and Ms. Thomas volunteers on a regular basis. As a spokesperson for the W.I.S.E. Women program, she gives motivational speeches and promotes the importance of an education in the community. She works for women to see that no matter what their circumstances, they can be successful.