Galveston Agenda and Alumnae Costs are posted under Documents/Galveston Session. Alumnae registration required by July 8.

To learn more about our flagship programs Leadership Texas and Power Pipeline and to download an application, go to www.womensresources.org/onlineapplications.asp.

May FWR Newsletter is posted. Click on Documents and then on Newsletters.

LT 09 Class to Get Firsthand Look at Galveston

Future Events

LT Galveston Session - 7/13/2009

LT El Paso Session - 9/14/2009

Navigate Passages Seminar  - 9/26/2009

Navigate Launch Program - 10/10/2009

LT 09 Session - Fort Worth - 11/16/2009

FWR Annual Meeting - 12/4/2009

LT 2010 Dallas Session - 3/22/2010

Power Pipeline - 2010 - 4/9/2010

LT Session Laredo - 5/17/2010

LT 2010 Lubbock Session - 7/12/2010

LT 2010 Waco Session - 9/20/2010

LT 2010 Session 5 - Austin - 11/18/2010

A stellar array of presenters will inform, inspire and provide tips that will be immediately useful as you contemplate a new direction. Speakers and topics include

• Sarah Fontenot (LT07) and Pam Owens (PP98): What Now? Keep Bailing, Start Paddling or Jump Overboard?
• Dr. Helen Harkness: Turning Your Passion into Your Paycheck: Stories from the Trenches
• Susan Abrahamson (LT83): From Job Search to Resumes, Interviewing and More: It's All Back to Basics For Now and the Future
• Christina Winters Gears (LT96): Steering Through Choppy Waters - Holding the $$$ Power in Your Own Two Hands

A full agenda and speaker biographies are available: Click Here. 

Members and non-members of the Foundation may register for the Navigate Passages program by clicking on the September 26 date on the Event Calendar and clicking on Register Now. You can pay on line with a credit card on our secure site. You can also register by sending a check to Women's Resources, Highland Park Village, PO Box 25, Ste., 100-371, Dallas, TX 75205 or by calling 214-421-5566. The early bird special fee is $250 available until September 1. Following Sept. 1, the fee is $300. Look for future announcements about the  other programs in the Navigate series which will include

• Navigate Launch. For the motivated, emerging women leader who is starting out and balancing the demands of the present with her dreams for the future. The 2009 program will be held in October in Amarillo.
• Navigate Harbor. For the seasoned woman who has been there, done that and is seeking what’s next.

"The Brain: A User's Guide for Leaders"
Mark your calendar now for the Women's Resources Annual Meeting set for December 4-6. Chairs Karla Barber (LT01 and FWR Board Member) and Dale Simons (LT93 and LT COB member) promise a dynamic session that will truly "expand what you belong to." Focused on mental health and brain health, the session will bring together outstanding experts in the field to stimulate your thinking and answer your questions on everything from global issues like public policy to personal issues like caring for a family member with Alzheimer's. The session will be held at the Omni Downtown-Austin and will include plenty of time for individual classes to get together. Austin is a great place for holiday shopping as well. Watch for more information regarding hotel reservations and agenda. 

FWR Establishes Linkedin Site

You can now communicate with classmates and other alumnae, seek job opportunities, and look for potential employees through the social networking site, Linkedin. Sign-up and click on Groups to go to the Foundation for Women's Resources site. You can click on the Linkedin logo to the left on the Home Page.
 

Texarkana alumnae rolled out the red carpet for the LT 09 Class for the first ever visit to their hometown. An outpouring of generosity and hospitality from the community resulted in sponsorship for all events. Regional Director Claudia Snow led the effort, with great involvement from local graduates. LT alumnae Molly Beth Malcolm (LT92) and Mike Mankins (LT95) hosted dinners  for the class members. The session focused on the outstanding educational programs underway in Texarkana including the state's only known elementary math and engineering school for elementary students. Topics included energy, higher education, the arts and more. To view the entire agenda, Click here.  Pictured are members of the class touring the Josh and Martha Morriss Elementary School for Math and Engineering.  Photos from the session will be posted on the Photo Page of this Website soon.

Power-packed Weekend Greets Power Pipeline Participants

The journey began Friday, April 17, for an outstanding group of 40 emerging leaders from throughout Texas and beyond who were selected to participate in the Power Pipeline Class of 09. An agenda that includes excellent presenters and dedicated mentors ensured that the class members got to meet and dialogue with women leaders who continue to shape our state and this country. The sessions included presentations on connecting personal and professional life, finances, tips on leadership and a visit to the Women's Museum. Members of the Power Pipeline Committee of the Board helped to plan the session and are participating as mentors. To view the weekend agenda, Click Here.

Austin Welcomes LT09

Beginning with a gracious welcome by the Austin region alumnae at the Omni hotel, followed by drinks and conversation at Manuel's the LT Class of 09 enjoyed a fabulous time in Austin (their words). The class members clamored for a return engagement by Mary O'Hara Devereaux who challenged conventional wisdom and predicted the future of our economy. Famed demographer Steve Murdock, returned from his sojourn in DC, returned to deliver his message of the demographics changes and challenges that will face Texas and the nation.

The Class was recognized by the Texas House of Representatives, and greeted at lunch by several women legislators. Texas Comptroller Susan Combs shared her experiences that led to her achieving one of the highest elected positions in the state, and Scott McGown of the Center for Public Priorities talked about the state of public education and the need for full funding. A visit to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was culminated with an enlightening presentation by Austin Mayor Will Wynn.

A highlight of the session on Tuesday was the gracious welcome from Chancellor of the University of Texas System Dr. Francisco Cigarroa and his wife Graciela who hosted a pool party complete with traditional Tex-Mex fare. The class enjoyed time to visit and rehash the events of the day.

On the final day, FWR Board member Audrey Selden shared her experiences and wisdom about necessary qualities for leaders. The class will reconvene in Texarkana on May 3. Photos of the session will be available on the Photo Page.

FWR Board and COB Members Convene in Austin

Candace O'Keefe Mathis, Rosemary Breedlove, Penny Beaumont,

Karla Barber, Patricia Diaz Dennis, Audrey Selden, Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza, Lana Porter, Ann Korioth (not pictured: Judith Guthrie, Patricia Bailey, Cathy Bonner, Diana Hightower Johnson, Shirley Hoskins, Martha Smiley and Ima Turner).

An energetic group of over 60 graduates of Leadership Texas and Power Pipeline as well as Board members and friends of Women's Resources gathered in Austin last weekend to plan for 2009. The four Committees of the Board (COB) are the Leadership Texas COB, chaired by Board Vice-president and Secretary Audrey Selden (LT92), the Power Pipeline COB, chaired by FWR Board Member Patricia Diaz Dennis and FWR Board Member Ima Turner, the New Initiatives and Strategic Alliances COB chaired by FWR Board Member Lana Porter, and the Alumnae Relations COB, chaired by Karla Barber, FWR Board Member and LT 01). Minutes of the COB meetings will soon be posted under Documents. To view the names of all COB members, Click Here. To view photos of the participants at the session, click on Photo Pages on the Home Page menu.

Television Raffle to Benefit Richards Scholars Endowment Fund

For $250 you can participate in a drawing for a Samsung DLP Television valued at $1499 generously donated by Diana Johnson Hightower and Texas Instruments. Only 50 tickets will be sold--and one of these 100 tickets will provide the lucky winner with a Samsung 56-inch DLP Screen TV housed in a sleek “piano black” cabinet, with a slim depth that fits where others won’t. Select “Game Mode” for advanced gaming action. Amazing 3D capabilities let you enjoy 3D movies and games to the fullest. Connecting all your other electronics and devices is easy with 3 HDMI inputs. The Wiselink USB 2.0 input lets you connect your digital camera or MP3player for quick access to pictures and playlists from your remote control. To purchase a ticket log on to www.fwrnetwork.org, click on Donations, and then on the Richards Scholars Fund. Go to the secure Web page where you can enter your credit card information, and indicate that the donation is for the television raffle. Or, send a check for $250 to the Foundation office at 3800 Parry Ave., Dallas, 75226, indicating the purpose of the check. To download the television drawing form Click here.

The Richards Scholars Endowment Fund provides scholarships to educators from the public and independent school sector, including PreK-12 education and community colleges, to participate in Foundation programs in the coming years. The endowment was established in 2006 in the memory of Former Texas Governor Ann Richards, founding member of the Foundation for Women’s Resources, whose career began as a classroom teacher. Purchase a ticket as a holiday gift for yourself or a loved one.

Danny Ballard (LT01) a nationally recognized leader the field of health, has officially been named division chair of Health Education in the Department of Health and Kinesiology.  Ballard, past president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), will continue in the role she has been serving in on an interim basis for the past two years.  After a nationwide search, many in the department believed that the right person was already in place to lead the division.  The decision to make Ballard’s position permanent was decided from opinions from faculty in the health education division and the approval of department head Richard Kreider.

Jean Callison (LT09) was named the recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award from Leadership Plano this month. The Plano City Council member was recognized for her outstanding community service as a community volunteer and elected official.

Diana Echols (LT07) was called to Active Duty in December and has been serving as the Commander, 506^th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, located at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq.  Major Echols and her 93 Airmen are responsible for Ammo, Fuels, the Aerial Port, the Deployment Control Center, the Traffic Management Office, Vehicle Operations, Base Supply, and Vehicle Maintenance.  So far they have pumped over 6 million gallons of fuels; supplied the base with over 1 million bottles of water; coordinated the air movement of over 12,000 combat troops and 240,000 tons of cargo; managed 20,000 square feet of warehouse with 4.4 million in accounts, and kept the base fleet up and running with a  vehicle in commission rate above 93 percent (hard to do at the end of the supply chain!)  She is most proud of the fact that her Airman have met every mission with success: zero delays and safe operations.  When not deployed, Diana is a Director of Logistics at Bell Helicopter and commands the 70^th Aerial Port Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida.  She should be back in Fort Worth in June and is looking forward to the next Fort Worth or Dallas regional meeting!

Gov. Rick Perry has named Judge Donna Klaeger (LT08) of Horseshoe Bay chair of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The commission establishes standards for the care and treatment of county prisoners, and the construction, maintenance and operation of county jails. Klaeger is Burnet County Judge. She is a member of the County Judge’s Association of Texas and Capitol Area Rural Transportation Planning Organization, and an officer on the Capitol Area Planning Council of Government’s Executive Committee. She is a past member of the FWR Leadership Texas Class and University of Texas Fellows Program.

 
Cynthia “Cindy” Leon (LT 92 and LT COB) has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the State Affordable Housing Corporation Board of Directors. The Board oversees the provision of affordable housing for low income Texans. Leon is a retired regional director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She is past chair of the Dallas-Fort Worth Federal Executive Board. Leon served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and received a bachelor’s degree from Austin College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She replaces Jesse A. Coffey of Denton.

Ann Margolin (LT94) has been elected to the Dallas City Council. Ann has a long history of community service and leadership.

Joan Shepack (LT07) was selected as the Alumni of the Year for the University of the Incarnate Word for 2009. The Alumni of Distinction Award is the highest award presented by UIW to an alumna/us. Honorees are selected based on their professional accomplishments, service to others, and Christian living. The award was presented at the May 9th Commencement in San Antonio, TX .  The Awards Committee of the UIW Alumni Association Board presents candidates to the full Board for recommendation. The recommendations are sent to the President of the University of the Incarnate Word for final approval.

Susan Skinner (PP05) has become active in an organization that is fighting to find a cure for Macular Degeneration and other degenerative eye diseases. She has fielded a team to participate in the DFW VisionWalk 2009 on May 16, and invites FWR alumnae to join her. The team’s goal is to raise $5000 for vision research. Click on this link to join SUSAN'S TEAM or make a donation http://www.fightblindness.org/site/TR/Events/VisionWalktr/1802010733?pg=team&fr_id=2360&team_id=31130

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It is with sadness that we share the news that Cindi Ghormley (LT91) passed away on May 6. Cindi had a long career with Frito-Lay where she held various positions. Cindi was actively involved in the community and several organizations. The family asks that donations in Cindi's memory be sent to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.______________________________

FWR Board Elects New Members

At its recent board meeting held at the Omni Mandalay in conjunction with the FWR Annual Meeting, two new board members were elected. Patricia Diaz Dennis (LT92), senior vice-president and general counsel at AT&T, and Lana Porter, president of L&M Enterprises, will join the board. The entire board list can be found at Committees, under the title of FWR Board of Directors.

FWR Honors Sandy Tyler (LT90) With Coveted Cathy Award

Cathy Bonner, namesake of the Cathy Award, presented this treasured award posthumously to Sandy Tyler (LT90) at the annual meeting of the Foundation, Friday, October 10. Sandy was honored for her dedication to Leadership Texas and the Foundation. On hand to accept the award was her dear friend, Cindy Conroy (LT07), regional director of the El Paso Region.

As a participant in Leadership Texas, Sandy found a venue that suited her well. With state-wide contacts, she enabled numerous other women and girls to achieve their goals. When the Women’s Museum was founded, Sandy was quick to donate both her time and money. She helped organize and fund the publication of the book “Desert Echo, Women Illuminate the Sacred,” with proceeds benefitting the Museum. Perhaps her greatest contributions were to the Girl Scouts of the Rio Grande since Sandy identified the lack of Girl Scout troops from the low-income areas of El Paso. As a result, El Paso now enjoys troops representing the fabric of the community. Her indomitable spirit was present as she raised funds to establish the Girls Go Tech Van, a mobile computer lab that travels to low-income girls to get them on computers with a focus on math and science.

Sandy’s civic involvement included leadership roles in the United Way Campaign, the YWCA, El Paso Chamber of Commerce and the University of Texas at El Paso. In 1990, Sandy received the City of El Paso Conquistador Award for service to the El Paso Community. She also served as Leadership Texas El Paso Regional Director for several years. Sandy’s commitment to the Foundation for Women’s Resources and The Women’s Museum were again demonstrated with significant bequests that will further the mission of each.

FWR Launches New Online Community for Alumnae Supporters & Friends