Hayes is the founder of the Iberia African American Historical Society (IAAHS).
[6] In her period of retirement she was volunteering at the library, and found a book about notable physicians from the Iberia Parish from 1859 to 1959, but only White men were mention.
[6][7] In her research she found some twenty historical African American physicians from Iberia Parish, including Dr. Emma Wakefield-Paillet.
[6] She helped raise money to get a historic plaque installed in 2018, in honor of Wakefield-Paillet.
[6][8] Her work in researching Wakefield-Paillet was recognized, and she was a 2019 recipient of the Trailblazer Award by New Orleans magazine.