Mission
The mission of the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame is to present, recognize and honor outstanding women in the community for their service and contributions through induction into the organization; and to provide funding to support higher education attainment for deserving local women pursuing a college education, and to promote their individual development in order to improve their status, interests, and needs of our community.
Oh What A Night! 2024 San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees pose for a group photo after the Induction Gala.
March 9, 2024 was a beautiful evening at the Valero Vista event center. The 2024 Inductees enjoyed the evening celebrating with their family, friends and SAWHOF members. The evening’s agenda included beautiful videos which communicated each inductee’s reflection about their contributions to the community and words of encouragement to the students of the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) and everyone present. Thank you to Adrienne Cox, Gala Chair, SAWHOF Officers, Board Members, Adelfa Reyna, Silent Auction Chair, Sarah Lucero Calhoon, the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies and many volunteers who devoted countless hours to make the event a success. A special thanks to the YWLA Cardinals who assisted guests with check-in, technology questions and logistics during the evening. A special moment was having two Cardinals who read their original poems during the Induction Gala ceremony.
Photos taken at the event can be viewed SAWHOF 2024 Induction Gala
Thank you to our sponsors, members and friends who joined us for the evening. A successful on-line silent auction provided extra interest and some wonderful items for the high bidders. Thank you also to those who participated in the recent “Second Chance Auction”. Your support allows the organization to fulfill our mission for students, members and the community.
With the proceeds from the gala and additional donations, the Scholarship Committee is busy reviewing the 85 scholarship applications submitted by the YWLA senior level students and prior year YWLA graduates. Your generosity helps to provide Gap Scholarships to the deserving students.
SAVE THE DATE – Be sure to mark you calendar to attend the SAWHOF Annual Meeting, June 15th from 9 – 11 AM at the SAWS Headquarters. Further details will be available in May. Election of the 2024-25 Officers and Board of Directors will be held during the meeting. Sustaining members are allowed to vote during the meeting. Bylaws Article IV Section C – Sustaining Member Dues collected after April 1st will be credited to the next fiscal year. To vote at the Annual Meeting dues must be paid by April 1 of that fiscal year.
Contact Second VP, Herlinda Sifuentes, regarding the status of your dues ( h_sifuentes@sbcglobal.com or 210-414-4177).
The Nominating Committee will be meeting soon to provide a slate of Officers and Board of Director members for the 2024-25 organization year. If you are interested in being considered contact Malinda Gaul (mgaul@satx.rr.com or 210.410.8992) by May 6th. Nominations will also be taken from the floor during the Annual Meeting.
I want to send an early “Happy Mother’s Day” greeting to all the members who are mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers!
Doris
Member News
Thank you to District 4 City Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia for recognizing the SAWHOF on our 40th anniversary on March 7th during the City Council Meeting. Several members joined during the recognition as well as Norma Rodriguez, for whom the city council chamber is named. Several students from the YWLA were present and some read original works noting who was the influential woman in their lives.
Thank you to Kim Ford and 2024 Inductee La Juana Chambers for their presentations during the YWLA Mentor Speaker Series. The students were eager to learn about their life journey and business experience.
Congratulations to Martha Tijerina and Dr. Ellen Riojas Clark who were honored recently at the San Antonio Women’s Federation Luncheon. The late Belle Ortiz and Mary Esther Bernal were honored posthumously. Thank you ladies for your contributions to Texas and being recognized as Women Who Make Texas Great.
Jessie Degollado received the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation Aguila Lifetime Achievement Award. Thank you Jessie for keeping the San Antonio community aware of the important news developments and human interest stories.
Girls Inc. honored Mona Tawil Helmy with their BOLD award during a recent ceremony. Congratulations Mona!
San Antonio’s First Poet Laureate,Carmen Tafolla Ph.D., will be part of the John Leguizamo’s TV series, “Leguizamo Does America”. I hope that you can watch this MSNBC Film series.
The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber recently honored Lorraine Pulido, Ph.D. with the Ignite Award – Rising Star for her community leadership during the 13th Annual Women’s Leadership Awards Luncheon.
The After School All Stars founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger honored several members during their recent luncheon. Rosemary Kowalski was honored as the Community Heroine. Martha Tijerina was honored as a Communications Hero. Dr Dianna Burns Banks, Dr. Margaret Kelley and Pat Jasso were honored as part of the University Health System Board. Yes, we have many SAWHOF members who are our Heroes! Thank you for being the Heroes in the San Antonio community.
I know that there are other members who are being recognized and honored throughout the community or nationally. If you know of or are a member being honored/recognized, please send me the information so that I can include the information in the newsletter. My direct email is doris.slaybarber@gmail.com.
I look forward to hearing from the members.