2024 LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Texas Women’s Foundation celebrates and elevates the voices of women leaders across Texas through our Maura Women Helping Women and Young Leader Awards. Join us to celebrate these great women who are improving the lives for women and girls in Texas!
LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Nominate a Deserving Individual for the Leadership Awards
Texas Women’s Foundation celebrates women statewide who are impacting the lives of women and girls in their communities.
For 46 years, the Maura Women Helping Women Award has recognized those who have led the way in improving lives for women and girls in Texas. Nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Utilizes their role in leadership to advance opportunities to serve the unique needs of women and girls;
- Has spent an extended period of time in service helping women and girls;
- Former or current Texas resident; and
- Must be 40 years of age and over.
Texas Women’s Foundation’s Young Leader Award recognizes breakthrough leadership exhibited by a Texan. Nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Achieving success in a field, initiative or sector;
- Creating a path of opportunity for others to follow;
- Former or current Texas resident; and
- Must be between 18 – 39 years of age.
Nominations must be submitted by Friday, October 18th.
Submit Maura Women Helping Women Award Nomination Here
Maura Women Helping Women Nomination Form
Submit Young Leader Award Nomination Here
Young Leader Award Nomination Form
All Nominations must be accompanied by nominee’s bio or CV and two letters of recommendation.
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
2025 Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration
Join us to celebrate and elevate the impact of women leaders across Texas!
We’ve recently expanded this day of leadership to be an all-day event. The first half of the day will include 200 young girls from the Dallas/Fort Worth area during our #BestSelf segment. Originally a stand-alone program separate from Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration, this day will unite and energize girls and women leadership celebration.
Following #BestSelf, there will be Leadership Forums featuring the women recognized for their incredible work advancing women and girls across Texas. The Maura and Young Leader Award Recipients will be part of a moderated conversation led by community and corporate leaders who will take a deep dive into their leadership journeys and work supporting women and girls.
We will end the day with a celebration where attendees will gather in the ballroom to hear an insightful and inspiring panel discussion with all Award Recipients led by a well-known woman leader over dinner and drinks.
Program
#BESTSELF: 11:30AM-3:00PM (for pre-registered group of girls ages 13-16)
Leadership Forums: 3:30PM – 5:45PM
Cocktail Reception: 5:45PM – 6:30PM
Leadership Awards Celebration: 6:30 – 8:00PM
2024 Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration
Texas Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration hosted more than 600 people who came together in celebration of women across Texas who are working to advance the lives of women and girls in their communities.
Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall moderated an insightful conversation with Award-winning Journalist Deborah Roberts, followed by the 2024 Leadership Awards Presentation featuring this year’s recipients of the Maura Women Helping Women and Young Leader Awards.
2024 Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration Co-chairs
Sakina Rasheed Foster
Veronica Torres Hazley
Heather Bellino (Austin, TX)
Texas Advocacy Project (TAP)
Heather Bellino is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming lives as the CEO of Texas Advocacy Project. With a commitment to serving victims of domestic and dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking, she leads a team that provides crucial legal services. At the heart of her leadership lies a passion for advancing the lives of women and girls. Through TAP’s initiatives, Heather raises awareness about critical issues, dismantle stigma, and foster open dialogues, driving positive systemic change.
Marsha Clark (Frisco, TX)
Marshal Clark and Associates
Marsha Clark has become a driving force in the realm of leadership development, change management, strategic planning, performance management, team development and executive coaching. A visionary leader, she has dedicated more than 20 years to crafting and delivering leadership development programs tailored for women. She is also an Amazon best-selling author of Embracing Your Power. Complementing her literary success, she hosts a weekly podcast titled Your Authentic Path to Powerful Leadership, accessible on MarshaClarkandAssociates.com.
Adeeba Raheem, Ph.D (El Paso, TX)
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Dr. Adeeba Raheem, UTEP associate professor of Civil Engineering, uses her academic prowess to help students. She has a multi-million dollar research portfolio with funding from U.S. federal agencies and non-profit organizations, which is directed towards supporting women and economically disadvantaged students in civil and construction engineering. For a decade, she has also been leading a construction safety training program where a large number of women representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds have been trained on occupational safety topics.
Jamila Thomas (Cedar Hill, TX)
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Jamila Thomas serves as senior vice president for Big Brothers Big Sisters and is responsible for establishing the strategic plan for corporate and community engagement. She also serves as an executive board member for Pipelines to Possibilities, an organization founded by four African American women judges focused on educating students on the justice system. Jamila helped establish the first Racial Equity Office in Dallas ISD and founded Cultured Consulting Group, an organization committed to the implementation of culturally responsive leadership best practices.
2024 Young Leader Award Recipients
Cimajie Best (Dallas, TX)
Allyn Media
Cimajie Best, an associate with Allyn Media, is a trusted advisor to clients facing public affairs challenges, public relations opportunities, political elections, and landmark fundraising campaigns. As a skilled tactician in capacity building and stakeholder management, she is a strong racial equity advocate and program evaluator. Cimajie works with nonprofits, foundations, elected officials, and communities to create inclusive outcomes for all parties involved. She is a staunch advocate for collaborations, partnerships and a collective impact approach to producing change.
Hilda McClure (Dallas, TX)
Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment
Hilda McClure, COO at Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment and a founding board member at Cannenta Foundation, is a skilled bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in adult therapy and trauma-focused counseling. Driven by a dedication to youth well-being, she pioneered an evidence-based program for children and single mothers in residential care. Committed to community growth, she trains professionals in serving Hispanic families and navigating the acculturation process.
Past Award Recipients
MAURA WOMEN HELPING WOMEN AWARD
Adelfa Callejo* | 1978 |
Vivian A. Castleberry* | 1978 |
Betty Graham* | 1978 |
Adlene Harrison | 1978 |
The Honorable Sarah T. Hughes* | 1978 |
The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson* | 1978 |
Maura McNiel | 1978 |
Emmie Baine* | 1979 |
Gerry Beer* | 1979 |
Johnnie Marie Grimes* | 1979 |
Lucy Patterson* | 1979 |
Louise H. Raggio* | 1979 |
Hermine D. Tobolowsky* | 1979 |
Virginia B. Whitehill* | 1979 |
Beverly A. Gandy | 1980 |
Chester Maxwell | 1980 |
Martina Navratilova | 1980 |
Dr. Ellenore Ott | 1980 |
Dianne Pingree | 1980 |
Barbara B. Reagan* | 1980 |
Judge Joan R. Winn Tarpley | 1980 |
Barbara Woodard* | 1980 |
Judge Theo L. Bedard* | 1981 |
Dr. Carolyn Galerstein* | 1981 |
Florence Lewis* | 1981 |
Shirley Miller | 1981 |
Gail B. Smith | 1981 |
Charlotte W. Taft | 1981 |
Suzanne Ahn, M.D.* | 1982 |
Susan Caudill | 1982 |
Margaret Estes* | 1982 |
Madeline Mandell | 1982 |
Rev. Dr. Mary Louise Rowand* | 1982 |
Charlotte Stewart | 1982 |
Myrtle Bulkley* | 1983 |
Donna Clack | 1983 |
Mary Esther Gaulden, M.D.* | 1983 |
Sally Sharp Jacobson | 1983 |
Marjorie W. Schuchat* | 1983 |
Sonya Bemporad* | 1984 |
Theresa Canales-Jud | 1984 |
Harryette B. Ehrhardt | 1984 |
Patricia Greenwald | 1984 |
Carol Madison* | 1984 |
Ella Bailey* | 1985 |
Betty Jo Hay* | 1985 |
Joy S. Mankoff | 1985 |
Beverly Brooks Miller | 1985 |
Tegwin Pulley | 1985 |
Dan Weiser* | 1985 |
Nancy Goodman Brinker | 1986 |
Catalina E. Garcia, M.D. | 1986 |
Irene T. Ramirez | 1986 |
Eleanor Tufts, Ph.D.* | 1986 |
Barbara L. Watkins | 1986 |
Reverend Ruth T. Barnhouse, M. D.* | 1987 |
Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D. | 1987 |
The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison | 1987 |
Barbara James | 1987 |
Sandra C. Tinkham | 1987 |
Monica Yates Fried* | 1988 |
Gertrude Miller* | 1988 |
Mary Evans Sias, Ph.D. | 1988 |
Annette Strauss* | 1988 |
Nellie Taffalla | 1988 |
Gloria de la Cruz* | 1989 |
Sharon S. King | 1989 |
Mamie McKnight, Ph.D.* | 1989 |
Caren H. Prothro | 1989 |
Dolores Barzune | 1990 |
Barbara S. Cambridge, Ph.D. | 1990 |
Dorothy Masterson | 1990 |
Lori Palmer | 1990 |
Barbara L. Sinak | 1990 |
Barbara Cottrell | 1991 |
Brenda L. Jackson | 1991 |
Patricia B. Meadows | 1991 |
Regina T. Montoya | 1991 |
Ruth P. Morgan, Ph.D. | 1991 |
Julie Scott Reed* | 1991 |
Susybelle L. Gosslee | 1992 |
Suzanne F. Greenman | 1992 |
Allen Mondell | 1992 |
Cynthia Salzman Mondell | 1992 |
Diane Pitts | 1992 |
Frances Rizo | 1992 |
DeMetris Sampson | 1992 |
Laura V. Estrada | 1993 |
Lyda H. Hill | 1993 |
Camille Keith | 1993 |
Mavis Knight | 1993 |
Barbara E. Rosenberg | 1993 |
Rita A. Cox | 1994 |
Pearl Garza Fracchia | 1994 |
The Honorable Helen Giddings | 1994 |
Scherry F. Johnson, Ed. D. | 1994 |
Barbara J. Middleton | 1994 |
Gloria Campos Brown | 1995 |
Elizabeth Cowles* | 1995 |
Lois G. Finkelman | 1995 |
Ella Goode Johnson | 1995 |
Ruby Morris* | 1995 |
Gale Duff-Bloom | 1996 |
Sally M. Knox, M.D. | 1996 |
Ann E. Margolin | 1996 |
Kathleen To | 1996 |
Kay W. Cole* | 1997 |
Dr. Mona Hersh-Cochran | 1997 |
Rosanne M. Ortega | 1997 |
Cynthia Reavis | 1997 |
Susan Stahl* | 1997 |
Susan Abrahamson* | 1998 |
Julie G. Lowenberg | 1998 |
Sandra D. Malone | 1998 |
Ann Minnis* | 1998 |
Thalia C. Oliphant | 1998 |
Phyllis Fishman Bernstein | 1999 |
Cora Cardona | 1999 |
Barbara F. Materka | 1999 |
Vicki Price-Smith | 1999 |
Bernice J. Washington | 1999 |
Sylvia L. Benenson | 2000 |
Brent Berryman | 2000 |
Cathy Bonner | 2000 |
Gail A. Griswold | 2000 |
Dr. Sheron C. Patterson | 2000 |
Becky R. Sykes | 2000 |
Brenda F. Brand | 2001 |
David Farmer | 2001 |
Cecilia McKay | 2001 |
Marion G. Sobol | 2001 |
Linda Walker-Bender | 2001 |
Elaine B. Agather | 2002 |
Sharlene Block* | 2002 |
Dianne Curry | 2002 |
Victoria Downing | 2002 |
Cynthia A. Gonzalez | 2002 |
Lekha Singh | 2002 |
Martha R. Tiller | 2002 |
Lyn Berman | 2003 |
The Honorable Kathryn W. Hall | 2003 |
Elizabeth F. (Liza) Lee | 2003 |
Suzane Marshall | 2003 |
Anita N. Martinez | 2003 |
Thalia F. Matherson, Ed. D. | 2003 |
Julie Spicer England | 2004 |
Nancy Ann Hunt | 2004 |
Margaret H. Jordan | 2004 |
Wendy A. Lopez | 2004 |
Ellen Terry | 2004 |
Linda Thomas* | 2004 |
Michele Bobadilla | 2005 |
Linda P. Custard | 2005 |
Kathy LaTour | 2005 |
Karen Shuford | 2005 |
Ruth Thomas | 2005 |
Norma L. Beasley* | 2006 |
The Honorable Angie Chen Button, CPA, CFP | 2006 |
Lisa Hembry | 2006 |
Gene and Jerry Jones | 2006 |
Jan E. Langbein | 2006 |
Cindy D. Ankele | 2007 |
Cecilia G. Boone | 2007 |
Carol C. Donovan, PC | 2007 |
Ebby A. Halliday* | 2007 |
Cynthia B. Nunn | 2007 |
Alice L. Rodriguez | 2007 |
Vicky Teherani | 2007 |
Naomi D. Aberly | 2008 |
Lottye S. Brodsky, Ph.D. | 2008 |
Hattie Hill | 2008 |
Patricia A. Porter | 2008 |
Shaunna F. Black | 2009 |
Former First Lady Laura Bush | 2009 |
Patricia Peiser | 2009 |
Betty S. Regard | 2009 |
Roslyn Dawson Thompson | 2009 |
Nina Vaca | 2009 |
Rebel B. Calhoun* | 2010 |
Effie Dennison | 2010 |
Paige H. Flink | 2010 |
Anita Marcos | 2010 |
Wanda R. Brice | 2011 |
Phyllis Farragut | 2011 |
Delia Jasso | 2011 |
Cathy Wilkins Moffitt | 2011 |
Jan Pruitt* | 2011 |
Patricia A. Vaughan* | 2011 |
Alinda H. Wikert | 2011 |
Clare Buie Chaney, Ph.D. | 2013 |
Melendy Lovett | 2013 |
Beverly Tobian | 2013 |
Debbie Dudley Branson | 2014 |
Lauren Embrey | 2014 |
Helen Holman | 2014 |
Retta Miller | 2014 |
Gauthami Vemula | 2014 |
Kim Askew | 2015 |
Julie Mamolen Bleicher | 2015 |
Liz Cedillo-Pereira | 2015 |
Valerie Freeman | 2015 |
Major General Mary Saunders, USAF, Retired | 2015 |
Diana C. Dutton | 2016 |
Rabbi Nancy Kasten | 2016 |
Vicki Meek | 2016 |
Katie Pedigo | 2016 |
Billie Bryant Schultz | 2016 |
Hind El Saadi El Jarrah, Ph.D. | 2017 |
Madeline McClure, LCSW | 2017 |
The Honorable Judge Tonya Parker | 2017 |
Lupe Valdez | 2017 |
Arcilia C. Acosta | 2018 |
Jocelyn D. Kidd, DDS | 2018 |
Cynthia Mickens Ross | 2018 |
Gail Turner | 2018 |
Dee Dee Bates | 2019 |
Sally Dunning | 2019 |
Ana I. Hernandez | 2019 |
Ashlee Kleinert | 2019 |
Nicole Small | 2019 |
Dana Blankenship | 2020 |
Tracey Doi | 2020 |
Kathleen LaValle | 2020 |
Jennifer Stimpson | 2020 |
Trisha Cunningham | 2021 |
Jin-Ya Huang | 2021 |
Rani Puranik | 2021 |
Judy Treviño | 2021 |
Cheryl Polote Williamson | 2021 |
Patricia Rodriguez Christian | 2022 |
Arlene Ford | 2022 |
Pat Jasso | 2022 |
Lynn McBee | 2022 |
Thana Simmons | 2022 |
Froswa Booker-Drew, PhD | 2023 |
Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, EdD | 2023 |
Aimee Boone Cunningham | 2023 |
Mary Pat Higgins | 2023 |
Jill Louis | 2023 |
YOUNG LEADER AWARD
Veronica Torres | 2013 |
Myiesha Taylor, M.D. | 2014 |
Brittany Merrill Underwood | 2014 |
Marissa E. Horne | 2015 |
Christa Sanford | 2015 |
Lacy L. Durham, Esq. | 2016 |
Brittany K. Byrd | 2016 |
Cynthia Nwaubani, CPA | 2017 |
Vanessa Bouché, Ph.D. | 2018 |
Brooke López | 2018 |
Dr. HaeSung Han | 2019 |
Ana I. Rodriguez | 2019 |
Karla Garcia | 2020 |
Diana Mao | 2021 |
Kim Roxie | 2021 |
Stacy Johnson | 2022 |
Sharareh Kermanshachi, PhD | 2022 |
Bee Nance | 2023 |
Ann Sheu | 2023 |
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Attitudes & Attire | 2003 |
Dallas Chapter – The LINKS | 1997 |
Dallas Women’s Foundation | 1996 |
Explore, Inc. | 1989 |
Family Place, The | 1979, 1988 |
Junior League of Dallas | 2000 |
KBOX | 1980 |
League of Women Voters of Dallas | 1993 |
Media Projects, Inc. | 1992 |
National Council of Jewish Women | 1998 |
North Texas United Nations Conference on Women | 2002 |
SMU DeGolyer Library | 2001 |
SMU Women’s Symposium | 1990 |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | 1996 |
Texas Woman’s News | 1987 |
Women’s Issues Network | 2002 |
Women’s Southwest Federal Credit Union | 1984 |
YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas | 1995 |