Veronica “Ginger” Purdy

Veronica “Ginger” Purdy

Communication

A Trailblazer. A Mentor. A Founding Voice for Women in San Antonio.

San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame proudly honors Virginia “Ginger” Purdy, one of our first inductees in the category of Communication in 1984 and one of San Antonio’s most influential champions for women.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Ginger devoted her life to uplifting women in our city. After a successful career in business—including serving as Advertising Manager for Dillard’s across four states—she turned her full energy toward advocacy. She founded Network Power/Texas and later the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce, creating spaces where women could lead, build businesses, and support one another. She established scholarship opportunities for women—many of them single mothers—opening doors to higher education and economic independence.

Ginger’s influence reached from local podiums to the global stage, including participation in the 1995 United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing. Yet her greatest impact was here at home—mentoring generations of San Antonio women to “own the room,” claim their ambition, and lift others as they climbed.

Today, we honor her legacy by investing in the next generation.

In Ginger Purdy’s memory, we invite you to make a donation supporting graduates of the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA). Your gift will help empower young women in San Antonio with the same confidence, opportunity, and community that Ginger championed throughout her life.

Ginger believed there was always “room for us all.” With your gift, we ensure there is room—financially, academically, and professionally—for the next generation of leaders.