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. 

Membership Invited to Attend Visioning Workshops

Please read the latest update below regarding the GSCTX Long Range Property Planning project.

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.