Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin, a queen of Carnival who became a lawyer and philanthropist whose gifts of money, determination and leadership helped save New Orleans’ symphony orchestra, died Saturday in her sleep at her New Orleans home, her granddaughter Mary Beth Benjamin said. She was 93.
While reigning as Rex’s consort in 1953 might represent a pinnacle achievement, it was only a start for Benjamin. After graduating from Newcomb College in 1954, she enrolled in Tulane University’s law school when few women were entering the legal profession.
She practiced law from 1956 to 1958 before retiring to raise children and devote her time and talent to community service…