Austin Workplace for Women Spotlight - Amelia Bullock Realtors

Amelia Bullock Realtors

For more than 40 years, Amelia Bullock Realtors has been a leader in the Austin residential market, building a reputation as a respected company with stellar agents, expertise in corporate relocation, and a strong commitment to the Central Texas community. Based on the premise that purchasing a home should be a win/win for everyone, the company owes its success to two extraordinary women—co-owners Amanda Bullock and Barbara Wallace, who support a nurturing culture that values family, cooperation rather than competition, and empowers an overwhelmingly female staff with the training and resources to be the best in the business. Both genteel southern women with an abundance of charm and determination, they have complimentary skill sets: Amanda has a background in fashion design and is adept at advertising and promotion, while Barbara holds in a degree in business education and excels in the financial areas and heads up the firm’s thriving relocation services. Amelia Bullock Realtors currently has over 90 agents who work from two locations; one in Northwest Hills and another in West Lake. The company is dedicated to providing service with quality, value and integrity and to maintaining an environment where courtesy, civility and service are paramount to all else.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, please visit our website. 

Austin Women of Distinction Spotlight - Melinda Garvey

Melinda Garvey

As publisher of Austin Woman Magazine (AWM), Melinda Garvey has revolutionized the way women communicate in Austin. Seeing a need for a woman’s magazine she and lifelong friend Samantha Stevens took a chance. A decade later with distribution at over 1500 locations, AWM has become the go-to magazine for women in Central Texas. In 2011 she and her husband and co-publisher Christopher Garvey launched ATX Man, also a major success. The Garveys not only support hundreds of organizations through the magazines and associated events, but has chaired the first Go Red Campaign, co-chaired a campaign to help families of premature babies, and is a past president of Wonders & Worries. Reared in Indianapolis, she is a graduate of DePauw University and worked in DC for over ten years—first in advertising and then for a community newspaper. She was inspired to start AWM because she realized that “people love to read about people.” A modest woman ever ready to credit her staff, she is a self-confessed TV junkie and is passionate about good food and wine. She and Christopher, who has overseen the marketing and events for the magazines since 2010, have a five year old son, Beckum, and enjoy spending time with on the water with Melinda’s parents in Horseshoe Bay.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, please visit our website. 

Austin Women of Distinction Spotlight - Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr

Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr

Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr is a fourth-generation firefighter and the first woman to serve as Chief of the Austin Fire Department. An active young girl and sports enthusiast, she received a degree in physical education and was teaching high school in Fort Lauderdale when a friend suggested that she apply for cadet training at the local fire department. It was a turning point in her life, and the start of a stellar career. She earned an associate’s degree in Fire Science Technology and two certifications from Harvard, rising through the ranks to become an officer and then second in command at the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department. In 2004, she became the first female Fire Chief in Little Rock, winning accolades for her innovation leadership. Five years later, she would beat out a group of national candidates to head the Austin Fire Department, where she has won high marks for her innovation, ability to build consensus and community outreach. Chief Kerr is the past chair of the Human Relations Committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Director of the National Society of Executive Fire Officers, and actively involved in community organizations including the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the Austin Area Urban League.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, please visit our website. 

Austin Women of Distinction Spotlight - MP Mueller

MP Mueller

Mary Pat “MP” Mueller is an astute business woman and entrepreneur well known in the Central Texas community for her colorful and occasionally outrageous sense of style and her willingness to share her talents and expertise with a broad range of community non-profits including the Austin Breast Cancer Research Center, I Live Here I Give Here, New Milestones Foundation, People’s Community Clinic, the Humane Society and the Alamo. Starting out as a one-person operation working from her bedroom, she went on to found Door Number #3, an award winning marketing and public relations agency with a staff of 12 and annual billings of $5,000,000. Additionally, MP authors a highly entertaining blog on marketing for the New York Times, is a nationally known guest speaker on marketing topics, and is particularly proud of her membership on the Board of Foster Angels, which helps Texas children in the foster care system. MP has two young adult children, Lawrence and Helen, and is busy planning an October wedding with George Gau, a business professor at UT Austin. She credits Girl Scouts with teaching her girls can do anything; how to set goals and reach them, and how to create the perfect sit upon.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, please visit our website. 

Austin Women of Distinction Spotlight - Meredith Cooper

Meredith Cooper

Meredith Cooper was one of the first professionals in Austin to become certified in the emerging field of Child Life Support, a rigorous process with interdisciplinary training to develop a friendly and family-centered approach to serving children hospitalized with chronic or long-term illnesses. She began working with Children’s Hospital, first as a Junior League volunteer, and then as the first pediatric oncology child life specialist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. But recognizing another need, she shifted her focus to children with a family member experiencing a catastrophic illness. In 2001 she joined with Missy Hicks to co-founded Wonders & Worries, an Austin-based non-profit to offer services to children of cancer patients. Since then Wonders & Worries has helped over 1,000 children in families affected by illnesses ranging from diabetes to Alzheimer’s. As Executive Director for the past two decades, Meredith is widely admired not only for her compassion and abilities as a healer but her administrative savvy and fundraising talents. Meredith is married to Duane Cooper, a financial adviser at Wells Fargo Advisors, and has three grown children, Ross, Kristen and Caroline. She is proud of her family’s tradition in Girl Scouting—her mother Caryl was her troop leader and both daughters were Girl Scouts.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, please visit our website.

Austin Women of Distinction Spotlight - Sylvia Acevedo

Sylvia Acevedo

As a young girl growing up in Las Cruses, New Mexico, Sylvia Acevedo saw first-hand how Girl Scouting can empower women and change lives for the better. With the support and encouragement of their local troop, her mother Ofelia learned to speak English, enabling her to file for US citizenship. Sylvia holds engineering degrees from both New Mexico State University and Stanford, and held prestigious positions with Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Dell and Apple. But deeply motivated by social equity issues, in 2007 she marshaled her professional expertise and formidable networking abilities to develop scalable solutions in education, workforce and health. Within six years, Sylvia created national mobilization campaigns that drew over 225,000 attendees and created systems to give books, toothbrushes, playground balls and eyeglasses to children in need. Named one of the top 100 American Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math by US News & World Report, she was appointed to the White House Commission for Educational Excellence for Hispanics in 2011 and presented with the Ohtli Award, Mexico’s most prestigious civil rights recognition for non-Mexican nationals. Sylvia and her partner, Dr. Janet Osimo enjoy sports and travel and are devoted to their rescue dogs, Cali and Nisso.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, please visit our website.

Killeen Workplace for Women Spotlight - HEB

H-E-B Grocery Company (Central Texas Region) is known for honouring the accomplishments of their women in the workplace. H-E-B supports and encourages their female employees to work their way up through the company and honors their accomplishments along the way through their own “Women of Distinction”. The company also encourages them to go out into the community and represent the culture that they have found within the H-E-B Grocery Company (Central Texas Region). Many women excel in this workplace environment as evidenced by all the women to be found in leadership roles within the company. However, few realize that many of these women started out their careers as cashiers or baggers. H-E-B Grocery Company (Central Texas Region) provides the perfect culture and opportunities for women to succeed in business.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, visit our website. 

Killeen Women of Distinction Spotlight - Betty Thrasher

Betty Thrasher

Betty Thrasher was born in Waco and grew up in Rosebud, Texas. She graduated from Rosebud High School and went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin. She is married to her husband, Robert, and has two sons, two grandsons, and two great-grandsons.

Betty grew up in a working class family to which she credits her success. Betty began working with Dart Industry’s skin care and make up business for years before opening up her own store, The Rosebud in 1979. From the time she was young, Betty always knew that she was interested in fabric, quality and design which helped her run this successful woman’s boutique for over 30 years. The primary goal she had for her business was to offer personal service to each and every customer. Betty took pride in her boutique and news of its service and selection spread quickly. Women looked to Betty and her staff for advice and fashion guidance, so much so that she became the go to person for women who were visiting the White House. 

Along with her love of fashion, Betty has always had a great love for helping others, especially children. After her retirement, she combined these two loves by devoting her time and energy to organizing fashion shows for the benefit of area service groups and non profits. The success of The Rosebud gave her the opportunity to put on countless fashion shows on behalf of various organizations such as Contemporaries, Altrusa, Federation of Womens Clubs, Children’s Miracle Network and Hadassah just to name a few. Betty’s fashion shows were very successful and raised many thousands of dollars. On top of all of her fashion show efforts, she gave countless hours to the McLane Children’s Hospital and is a member of the Visionares for the Scott & White Healthcare Foundation. Betty loves to help others look good so that they can feel good.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, visit our website. 

Killeen Women of Distinction Spotlight - JoAnn Purser

JoAnn Purser

JoAnn Purser was born in Hampton, Virginia and raised in San Antonio before moving to Killeen, Texas at the age of 11. She graduated from Killeen High School and went on to earn a Real Estate license. She is married to her husband, Gary, has two children and one grandson.

JoAnn began her working career as a roller skating car hop at Sonic. She has come a long way from that first job, working as a fitness consultant at Fitness World and even owning a ladies clothing store called Style Shop. JoAnn’s current professional work is on a completely different level. JoAnn owns a home building company, Purser Homes, and a rental property within the company called Bentina Rentals. She is now focused on creating an age restricted neighborhood in Killeen. This neighborhood is called The Villas at Lion’s Park and is meant to target residents ages 55 and older.

JoAnn’s business success is evident, but she takes it one step further and always gives back to her community. She was extremely active in her children’s school PTA as she served as PTA President for Reeces Creek Elementary and Nolan Middle School. On top of all of this, she has served as Junior Service League President, Vice President of Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, and Metroplex Hospital Foundation Board Member and Gala Chairman where she organized the first four years of The Gold Star Hospital Gala. She currently serves as the School Board Trustee for Killeen ISD and she and her husband take great pride in doing what they can for their community. This has included donating land for the Purser Family Park in Harker Heights where they have sponsored an annual Easter Egg Hunt for the First United Methodist Church for 20 years and sponsoring the Gary Purser Jr. Family Fitness Room at The Lions Club Senior Center. JoAnn has had incredible success both in her professional and philanthropic careers, bringing to the table her vision, experience and leadership.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, visit our website. 

Killeen Women of Distinction Spotlight - Linda Pelton

Linda Pelton

Linda Grace Smith Pelton was born outside of Caldwell, Texas. She traveled and grew up around the world in Virginia, Germany, and France before her family settled in Killeen, Texas. She graduated from Killeen High School before going on to Prairie View A&M University. Soon after, she earned her Master’s from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. She has been married to her husband, Johnny, for over forty years and has four children and three grandchildren.

Since the time Linda was 13, she knew that she wanted to be a teacher and it was the perfect career for the life she led. Once her husband retired, she was able to combine her love for teaching and volunteering into one through her job as the First Parent/Community Facilitator. After completing her Master’s degree, she was Principal of Haynes Elementary School for nine years. She has made a commitment to being an educator and has continued to do so throughout her life. Currently, she serves as a student teaching supervisor, mentor, and temporary administrator.

Linda has always put volunteering at the center of her life, even as a child. When she was eight-years-old she became a Girl Scout and eventually worked her way to the rank of First Class which was the highest honor at the time. She began teaching Bible School from the time she was 13 and still continues to do so to this day. She spends her free time directing Vacation Bible Schools, assisting new converts in her church, and volunteering for Officer’s Wives Club and Meals on Wheels. On top of all of this, Linda has been an adult member of the Girl Scouts for the past 30 years and has held almost every volunteer position imaginable, last serving as the Board Chair for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas. Linda has been actively involved for 25 years with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority which eventually led to her co-chairing a regional conference, bringing together women from Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. In 2004, Linda was the founding president of the Killeen Area Alliance of Black School Educators. Linda truly believes that being given the opportunity to be an educator has been the greatest gift of her life.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, visit our website.

Killeen Women of Distinction Spotlight - Kris Kaiser Olson

Kris Kaiser Olson

Kris Kaiser Olson was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Waco, Texas. She graduated from Waco Public Schools before going on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus on Speech Pathology and Audiology from Baylor University. She married her husband after graduating from college and has two daughters and one granddaughter.

After graduating from college, Kris worked at the Texas State Capitol for the House of Representatives where she found her calling: advocating for others. Her love of this began in her first job and transferred to her school PTA when her daughters began going through public school. She realized that parents needed to have more of a say in their school improvement and she set out to start a chapter of Parents for Public Schools in Waco. She even spent a few years as the Director of Communications for the national chapter and she became the director for the local chapter later on. Once her daughter’s graduated, she knew that it was time to pass on the position to someone else. Kris truly believes that children do better in school when they have good home lives and have access to correct, age appropriate information.

Kris has been a member on over 50 boards for advocacy throughout her lifetime. She has been blessed with a wonderful family and she has made it her goal in life to offer that kind of support to others. Kris helps others find their voice and to speak up for themselves, or if they are unable to, to be the voice for them. Kris has devoted her life to serving others and to making sure that every child has the opportunity to succeed in life.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events, visit our website. 

Killeen Women of Distinction Spotlight - Diane Moore Connell

Diane Moore Connell

Diane Moore Connell was born in White Plains, New York and grew up around the world moving with her family as her father was a pilot in the U.S. Air force. She graduated from Burgess High School before going on to graduate from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. She is married to her husband, Ted, and has two stepchildren, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

Diane’s working career began when she was in college as she worked her way through UT’s Budget Office. Upon graduation, she made a big decision to move to Washington D.C. to begin her career. She started out working at the Veterans Administration before going on to become the legislative assistant to Texas Congressman Olin E. Teague. Diane then decided it was time to return to Texas and worked for House Speaker Gus Mutscher in Austin. She then made a slight change in her career path and worked in real estate until her marriage.

One of her biggest accomplishments was her work with Connell Chevrolet. She relocated the dealership from its former downtown location to Central Texas Expressway and continued operating it for 11 years. Her work didn’t stop there; she still was extremely active throughout her community. Not only was Diane the founding Chairman of Vive Les Arts Societe of Killeen-Harker Heights, but also the founding treasurer of Metroplex Hospital Gift Shop. On top of all of this she was the Director of Texas Automobile Dealers Association from 2005-2010 as well as Vice Chairman for the Killeen Centennial. Through her example, Diane truly inspires young girls to believe in themselves.

For more information about this year's Women of Distinction events, visit our website.

A Cookie Isn't Just a Cookie!

We have a brand new PSA thanks to our friends at Moth to Flame (MTF)! The amazing MTF team donated their time, talent and services to help us produce 'A Cookie Isn't Just a Cookie,' which is set to officially premiere at the Austin Women of Distinction luncheon on Wednesday, April 24, 2012.  

Enjoy a special preview here exclusively for our social media community! Tell us what you think! Do you see future actresses in the making? We do!

About Moth to Flame: Christine Chen, MTF Founder and Creative Director and Michelle Casanova, MTF Business Developement and Accounts Manager teamed up to write, produce and direct the GSCTX promotional spot 'A Cookie Just Isn't a Cookie' for this year's Women of Distinction. This spot for Girl Scouts is one of many productions the team has worked on. In addition to working in corporate, creative and special events film production, Christine and Michelle are University of Texas at Austin alumnae. Christine founded MTF while attending the Texas MBA program at the McCombs School of Business with Michelle. Both women graduated in 2012 and have since worked on several initiatives that promote women's strength and leadership around the world. For more information, visit their website. 

Stephenville Workplace for Women Spotlight - Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville has been committed to serving Erath and its surrounding counties since 1926. This once small hospital located in an old hotel has now expanded to a full service community hospital and regional referral center with a current 98 bed capacity. They offer the community a variety of services from surgical to wound care and have been honored with national accreditation being labeled as both a Level IV Trauma Center and Cycle III Chest Pain Center. Their nurse friendly environment has led them to receive a Pathway to Excellence designation and the World Health Organization even honored them with the designation of being named a Baby-Friendly Hospital. Their amazing staff of 40 physicians are committed to the health of the community and everyone in it.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events and to purchase tickets, visit our website.

Stephenville Women of Distinction Spotlight - Karen Hobbs

Karen Hobbs

Karen Hobbs was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Vandalia, Illinois until she was 13 and her family moved and settled down in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Churchill High School before going on to attend Texas A&M University and eventually earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She has been married for 22 years to her husband, Marlon, and has two children.

Karen has always loved and been interested in the human-animal bond that exists and looked up to Dr. Johnston, her family veterinarian, while growing up. After graduating with her doctorate, she worked at veterinarian offices for eight years before accomplishing one of her major life goals: opening up her very own practice. That was 13 years ago and she still runs that office to this day.

Her advice to young women is very reflective of her own life: leadership and community service are very important. She exemplifies this and takes on an active role in her community. She enjoys being involved with various organizations including Hospital and Chamber Board, Stockshow Concessions for Zonta, PTO, and the Tarleton Job Shadow Program and Mock Interviews. Her active roles, both professionally and in service for the community, have allowed her the opportunity to mentor students ranging in ages from middle school all the way through college. She truly has had a positive and lasting impact on all of the people that surround her.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events and to purchase tickets, visit our website. 

Stephenville Women of Distinction Spotlight - Penny Elliot

Penny Elliot

Penny Elliot was born and raised in Stephenville, Texas. She graduated from Stephenville High School before going on to earn her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She is married and has two children and two grandchildren.

Penny has always loved children and she knew since her high school years that her goal was to become a teacher. Her first job was working for a year in a hospital records department before making the decision to stay home and raise her two children. While raising her two daughters, Penny took on the great responsibility of being a Girl Scout troop leader.

After her children went on to college she finally realized her dream of becoming a teacher. She began working at Stepping Stones Day School, which is a private school sponsored by her church, First United Methodist Church. She began as a preschool teacher. Thirty-nine years later, she is the director of the program. Penny spends her spare time taking on active roles in organizations such as March of Dimes, American Heart Association, and United Way. Her dedication and commitment to future generations are apparent in every aspect of her life.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events and to purchase tickets, visit our website. 

Stephenville Women of Distinction Spotlight - Marion Cole

Marion Cole

Marion Cole was both born and raised in Dublin, Texas. She graduated from Dublin High School before going on to graduate from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and minors in both English and Music. She was married to her husband for 38 years before he passed away, and has two children and four grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Marion was always surrounded by music. Both of her parents, her dad in particular, supported and encouraged her to be involved with music. This passion for music and love of teaching combined to lead her into a career that included both. It was no surprise then that after graduating from college, she went on to teach elementary school music before retiring.

Marion committed years of her life to volunteering at the schools her children attended through PTA, PTO, and Project Graduation. However, her passion for music never left and she is currently the Director of Music America’s Rural Residency Program. As director, she plans and leads groups of musicians from well-known institutions, such as New England Conservatory and Julliard, for nine month periods throughout the year. She is also an active member of Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council and the ERATH County Lafferty Foust Scholarship Committee whose goal is to award scholarships to graduating high school seniors. She is the perfect example of how much you can give back to your community when you are passionate about what you are doing in life.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events and to purchase tickets, visit our website.

Stephenville Women of Distinction Spotlight - Ann Calahan

Ann Calahan

Ann Calahan was born in Oildale, California and raised throughout the state of Texas before she turned seven and her family settled down in Winters, Texas. She graduated from Winters High School before going on to earn both her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Masters of Education from Tarleton State University. She then attended Texas A&M University where she graduated with a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. Ann married her best friend, John, in 1984 and has three children and five grandchildren.

Ann was blessed with many mentors throughout her life, in particular her stepfather, who taught her three values that she has carried throughout her life: hard work, honesty, and ethical behavior. These values coupled with all of the other positive influences in her life and her involvement in Girl Scouting at a young age, as a Brownie led her to go on to lead a life of accomplishment.

Originally, she worked with an ESL and Adult Basic Education Program and started her professional career after completing her first degree by teaching fourth grade in Granbury, Texas. Her current success as the department head for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Tarleton State University is very closely tied to her dual involvement in the SISD Board of Trustees. On top of all of her professional success, she has also served on the school board for the past 12 years and hopes to continue to do so into the future. Her success throughout her life has impacted the lives of thousands of students and has set an excellent example for young girls to follow.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events and to purchase tickets, visit our website. 

San Angelo Women of Distinction Spotlight - Susan Woods

Susan Woods

Susan Woods was born and raised in San Angelo, Texas. She graduated from San Angelo Central High School and then went on to study business at Angelo State University. She is married to Mark and has two daughters.

Susan is well known throughout the community of First Presbyterian Church for leading a collaboration with the county jail to provide Christmas presents and Easter baskets for inmates to give to their children. She has worked tirelessly with the Chaplain of the Tom Green County Jail Ministry and her church to make this program possible. Susan coordinated the collection of gifts and essential clothing, the packaging of the items, and the delivery of the gifts to inmates children during the holidays.   Susan’s passion and dedication have had a great impact on many in her community when they see how she gives so much of her time and energy to those in need.

Susan is also very active and passionate about House of Faith. She serves on the Board of Directors and volunteers for its Backyard Bible Club. The Backyard Bible Club organizes groups of young children who interact for three hours a week, under adult supervision.  Susan has helped lead groups for more than 12 years. She is known for never missing a day and making it her goal to make each and every child she works with feel special. It is evident that Susan has a passion for helping people, whether by providing extra clothing for children at Lamar Elementary, or meals for the elderly.  Susan has completed more than 720 hours of volunteering in the past 15 years for Meals for the Elderly alone. Susan is known for working  under the radar and never seeking recognition for her tireless efforts, but everyone knows she is the person to turn to when the community is in need.  Susan exemplifies the character that Girl Scouts seeks to build in its members and she serves as a shining example of what one person can accomplish.

For more information on this year's Women of Distinction events and to purchase tickets, visit our website.

San Angelo Women of Distinction Spotlight - Mary Hebert

Mary Hebert

Mary Herbert was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Lubbock, Texas. She graduated from Monterey High School before going on to graduate from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Speech as well as earning a teaching certificate. She has four children as well as three grandchildren that live throughout the U.S.

Mary began her career teaching high school English for three years in the Houston Independent School District. She then left the teaching profession to become the Executive Director of the San Angelo Schools Foundation where, among many accomplishments, she established a Scholarship Endowment program that grew to an amount of $80,000 in two years. Mary continued down her new philanthropic path and began to expand her expertise and share her skills with various other organizations including Area Agency on Aging of the Concho Valley, Social and Health Resources Coalition, and Concho Valley RSVP. Her dedication to the community led her to be a co-founder of the Tom Green Co. Hunger Initiative and the originator and first President of the Board of Directors for Christmas in April. Mary is a force to be reckoned with as exemplified by her vast achievements and her incredible devotion to the San Angelo community.

Mary is always thinking ahead and setting an example for others to follow. Today her efforts are once again turned in a different direction.  She is currently the Helping Hands Program Manager with the Galilee Community Development Corporation.  Mary leads this group, along with a board of volunteers, to rebuild houses for lower income elderly at no cost to the homeowner’s themselves. Mary strives to spread the mission of Helping Hands and to bring the community together in order to help those in need.  Mary’s life is a testament to the Girl Scout values of service and leadership.

For more information on this year's event and to purchase tickets, visit our website.