GCW_HOF_program_042514.indd 1 4/28/14 9:20 AM TEXAS Women’s hall of fAME Welcome to The Texas Women’s HALL OF FAME 2014 PROGRAM Welcome Carmen Pagan, Governor’s Commission for Women Chair Invocation Reverend Coby Shorter Presentation The Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing at Texas Tech University Keynote Address Governor Rick Perry Induction 2014 Texas Women’s Hall of Fame Honorees Closing 3 Texas Governor‘s Commission for Women GCW_HOF_program_042514.indd 2-3 4/28/14 9:20 AM TEXAS Women’s hall of fAME TEXAS Women’s hall of fAME The Texas Women’s HALL OF FAME AWARDS The Governor’s Commission for Women established the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984 to honor the remarkable achievements of Texas women while sharing their stories of great determination and innovation. The biennial awards highlight Texas women who have made significant contributions, often despite great odds. Nominations are submitted from across the state and reviewed by a panel of judges. Past honorees include first ladies, Olympic athletes and astronauts. The Texas Women’s HALL OF FAME 2014 Inductees The History of Our HALL OF FAME EXHIBIT In 2003, the Governor’s Commission for Women established a permanent exhibit for the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame on the campus of Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. The exhibit features the biographies, photographs and video interviews of more than 100 notable women who have been chosen to represent the very best from our state. The exhibit is free of charge, and it is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except during university holidays. Special arrangements for groups wishing to visit the Museum on other days and/or times may be made by contacting (940) 898-3644. 4 5 Texas Governor‘s Commission for Women Texas Governor‘s Commission for Women GCW_HOF_program_042514.indd 4-5 4/28/14 9:20 AM TEXAS Women’s hall of fAME TEXAS Women’s hall of fAME HON. NANDITA BERRY LILLIE BIGGINS Business Health A true role model, Nandita Berry is Texas’ 109th A proud naturalized American citizen, Secretary Lillie M. Biggins is both President of Texas With a passion for the underserved, Biggins Secretary of State and the first Indian-American to Berry has a long and distinguished record of civic Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth is the driving force behind the $57.7 million hold the office. Secretary Berry was appointed by service. She was vice chair of the University of (Texas Health Fort Worth), a 726-bed faith-based Marion Emergency Care Center at Texas Health Governor Rick Perry and sworn in on January 7, Houston System Board of Regents, the governing nonprofit medical center, and also Chair of the Fort Worth. The newly-opened 75,000 square- 2014. In announcing the appointment, Governor body of a system comprising four universities, six Board of Directors of the Dallas/Fort Worth foot center will provide the healthcare safety Perry called her “one of the most accomplished regional teaching centers, a television station and International Airport, a critical transportation hub net for the region. attorneys in the state.” two radio stations. She also served on the boards covering 26.9 square miles, with 60,000 on-airport of the Houston Zoo Inc., South Asian Chamber of employees and over 165,000 passengers daily. Biggins is famous for facing difficult situations As secretary of state, Secretary Berry is one Commerce, Houston Area Women’s Center and with a steadfast resolve. A compassionate senior of six state officials who comprise the the Community Family Center of Houston. Biggins is a graduate of what was then The executive, she tells her hospital employees executive department of the state of John Peter Smith Hospital School of to “do the right thing, we won’t Texas. Among the office’s wide- Originally from Hyderabad, India, Nursing in Fort Worth. She received regret it.” Her interactions ranging responsibilities, the Secretary Berry is a graduate a Bachelor of Science from the in meetings and individual secretary of state serves as of Mt. Carmel College in University of Texas at Arlington conversations resonate the chief election officer, the Bangalore, India. She and a Master of Science from with wisdom. She is a governor’s liaison on border subsequently received a Texas Woman’s University in committed mentor to and Mexican affairs, and bachelor’s degree from Denton. For six years she was young professionals. Texas’ chief protocol officer the University of Houston an assistant clinical professor for state and international and a law degree from in hospital administration Before working at Texas matters. Additionally, the the University of Houston at the University of Texas Health Fort Worth, Biggins office manages the business Law Center. Southwestern Medical brought her highly effective and public filings for Texas. School in Dallas and is administrative skills to her Secretary Berry is humbled currently adjunct faculty at the roles as chief nursing officer Secretary Berry’s personal to follow in the footsteps of University of Texas at Arlington. and then as vice president story embodies what is Stephen F. Austin, Texas’ first of East Campus Operations possible through hard work and secretary of state. “Like him, I Biggins joined Texas Health Fort at Plaza Medical Center of Fort determination in Texas. Arriving from came to Texas in search of a better life Worth in 1997 as vice president of Worth. She has an additional 21 years India at the age of 21 with no more than $200 and the limitless opportunities to be found operations, overseeing major departments of health care experience shared between to her name, she worked diligently to earn her law across our great state,” she said when sworn into such as Emergency Services, Trauma Services John Peter Smith Hospital and Dallas’ Parkland degree and then forge a successful career from office. “Every day, I see Austin’s pioneering spirit and Restorative Services. As president, she is Memorial Hospital. the ground up. alive in Texas, and this great honor proves once responsible for enhancing the performance again that Texas is the land of opportunity, both of Texas Health Fort Worth through cost Biggins’ life has been centered on faith, family Prior to becoming secretary of state, Secretary in the private sector and public service.” effectiveness, clinical outcomes and patient and community service. As a result, she has Berry specialized in technology transactions as satisfaction. She was appointed to the DFW received many awards and honors, including the senior counsel in the Houston offices of Locke International Airport Board in May 2005, was President’s Volunteer Call to Service Award, the Lord LLP, a full-service, international law firm. named vice chair in March 2006 and chair in nation’s highest honor for volunteer service. She was formerly in-house counsel for a Fortune February 2008. She is currently serving her 500 company, where she handled corporate and second term as chair and works tirelessly to securities matters. promote the Dallas/Fort Worth region with the airport authority. 6 7 Texas Governor‘s Commission for Women Texas Governor‘s Commission for Women GCW_HOF_program_042514.indd 6-7 4/28/14 9:20 AM TEXAS Women’s hall of fAME TEXAS Women’s hall of fAME JOANNE HERRING COLONEL (RET) KIM OLSON Community Service Military An intriguing blend of ambassador and celebrity, simultaneously, the skilled diplomat was a trusted Through her trailblazing military service as In 2010, Olson began serving in the Texas State Joanne King Herring holds a unique place in the advisor to the leaders of both countries. an aviation leader, commander and patriot Guard (TXSG) as a Colonel leading both the IT cultural fabric of Texas. Throughout her life, she Kimberly D. Olson, Colonel (retired) United and personnel systems at TXSG Headquarters. In has stepped forward to help others in need. Herring’s other honors include being made Dame States Air Force, has reshaped the perception this volunteer position, she utilized her expertise by the Order of St. Francis and being knighted of women serving their country. Today, as she to prepare and train the 2,300 all-volunteer Long known within the corridors of power in both by the King of Belgium. She is also the recipient works in the nonprofit sector to transform the military forces to assist state and local authorities Afghanistan and Pakistan, Herring’s freedom- of the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge lives of female veterans, Olson is a published in times of natural or manmade disasters. fighting role in southwest Asia was brought to Award, the Development in Literacy Lifetime author who dedicates her book’s proceeds to a wider American audience when the true-life Achievement Award, the 2012 Consular Corp supporting veterans. Today, Olson is CEO/President of Grace After 1980s story of “Charlie Wilson’s War” was Lifetime Achievement Award and the Fire, a Texas-based nonprofit. Since retold in 2007, with Oscar-winning 2013 Southern Heritage Lifetime Olson’s 25 years in uniform 2010, her team has helped over actress Julia Roberts playing the Award. She is the only woman encompassed a time of great 5,300 female veterans find remarkable Herring. As movie- to receive the Afghan Army change. She was part of the employment, access mental goers learned, Herring and Award. Herring co-chaired first generation of female and physical health providers, Congressman Charlie Wilson the Special Olympics in military pilots, eventually and conduct peer to peer were instrumental in forcing New York City with former accumulating nearly 4,000 network training. the withdrawal of Soviet Secretary of State Henry hours of flying time—from forces from Afghanistan – Kissinger.