2011 Inductees

Sarita G. Jimenez

Retired teacher, and self-employed rancher, Floresville- inspired young women to become well educated in math and science and to become engaged in the business of ranching.

Elva Adams

Expert in Taekwondo a Korean Martial Art.  World champion in 1997, and Asian Cup Champion in 1998.  Olympic Bronze medalist in Seoul Korea representing Taiwan.  Came to US and at UTSA participated in US Open, US Nationals and US Team Trials in the 1990’s.  Currently Certified International Referee.  Teaches fitness, martial arts and self-defense to working women.  Also directs the China Dolls Dance Troup.  Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce and Taiwanese Chamber in San Antonio.

Nora W. Chavez

Managing Director/Senior Vice President of Stifel  Nicolaus Texas Public Finance office.  She served for 7 years as Director of Finance for the City of San Antonio.  Civic leader in SA for 26 years:  Honorary Chairperson of March of Dimes, UT Scoal and Behavioral Science Advisory Council, UIW Development Board.  Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women.

Evangelina G. Flores

President, ROFO’s Inc. La Paloma River Walk; President, FIG Management LLC; Partner, La Paloma Norte Restaurant. Dedicated to improvement of the  beauty, economic viability and quality of life in downtown SA. Member of Texas A & M San Antonio Foundation.  Incoming President of Fiesta Commission.

Rebecca Q. Cedillo

Bexar County University Health System Board of Managers, and Board of SAMMinistries Board  of Trustees.  Dedicated to natural resources protection. St. Mary’s University Board of Trustees.  She and her staff developed the water quality initiatives for the Edward’s Aquifer, and researched and justification studies for the San Antonio Water System. Works with women’s groups on conservation policy issues.

Bett Butler

Locally and nationally renound vocal performer/singer/pianist specializing in Jazz  and R & B renditions.

Kausi Subramanian

Indian Dance and Music expert with a background in Mechanical Engineering.  On the CDultural Collaborative, The Carver Development Board, Luminaria Steering Committee and the City of SA Public Art Board.  President of Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce 2007-2009.  Diwali San Antonio an annual, city festival was her brainchild. She strongly believes that the woman is the foundation upon which a family rests and that empowering women enables the entire family.

Maria "Cuca" R. Montecel

Intercultural Development Research Association which did pioneering work with her research on the high drop out rates of Latinos.  Developed the prototype methodology for measuring attrition.  She works with educational institutions to inspire, encourage, and support women to further their education. Recognized by the National Association for Bilingual Education and as a Hispanic Influential by Hispanic Business.

Sr. Kathleen Coughlin, CCVI

 Served for six years as Provincial Superior for  Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Currently  Vice President of the University of the Incarnate Word.  Particular emphasis on health care education and service with Catholic Health Association.   2007 Womens’ Leadership Award – San Antonio Business Journal.  Remodeling of UIW School of Nursing,  supported development of Feik School of Pharmacy, and Rosenberg School of Optometry at UIW.

Dr. Marilyn Harrington

Retired Dean of the School of Health Professions at UTHSCSA. Dental Hygiene and doctorate in Higher Education Administration.  Allied Health Professionals are predominately women.  She doubled the enrollment in the School during her tenure, and made concerted efforts to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups and from economically and educationally disadvantaged background.

Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.  Strong advocate for girls and their education.  Passionate about serving others.  Developed a pilot program based on sorority model to help young women called Gamma Sigma Girls which targets teen girls in high school who have limited history with Girl Scouts.  Allows the girls to bond in a sisterhood and explore common interested in a safe space.

Donna Muslin

Active in the Fashion Management Program at UIW, officer in Fashion Group International of SA, Miss Fiesta Association, Scene in SA Magazine, and State Lobbyist for American Cancer Society.  Mentors high school, college students, works with women’s organizations on networking, career development, re-joining the job market  and dress for success.

The Honorable, Esperanza "Hope" Andrade

As Secretary of the State of Texas, Hope is the first Hispanic woman to serve in this capacity. Previously, she had served our state as Chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. As a successful entrepreneur in our city, she served as Texas’ Chief Election’s Officer, Chief International Protocol Officer, and the governor’s Chief Liaison on border and Mexican affairs. Her own multi-million dollar business helped place numerous professional/paraprofessional individuals (mostly women) throughout the health care industry. Secretary Andrade is known throughout Texas as a motivational speaker addressing young people no matter gender, cultural background, or educational level.

Secretary Andrade has held key leadership roles with VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, United Way, San Antonio Symphony, and the Board of Trustees of Our Lady of the Lake University. Her awards and honors are numerous and include San Antonio Leadership Hall of Fame. Mother of the Year by AVANCE, and the Lifetime Achievement Award through the Hispanic Chamber. Hope has provided “hope” to many struggling entrepreneurs and women trying to better themselves in life through education!

LAW

Judge Mary Roman

Advocate for women’s needs and issues.  Board Certified in Criminal Law.  Work with Child Advocates of San Antonio, the Battered Women’s Shelter; Visitation House, PEACE (Putting an End to Abuse through Community Efforts),  Mission City Business and Professional Women, and the Texas Women’s Forum.

Geraldine J. Garcia

Assistant Chief of Police in San Antonio.  Role Model, in non-traditional field for women.  Uses her position to improve the quality of life of others.   Dedicated to quality assurance programs.  Downtown Safe Zone video cameras and twilight patrol shift, and mental health unit.  Created the Community Policing Unit.  Motivational speaker.

Sylvia Rodriguez

Consultant to San Fernando Health Fair. She has worked tirelessly on campaigns for women running for elected office and helped found Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas  She served on the Ywca Board of Directors and Dams de San Fernando.  Helped organize the first Hispanas Unidas Conference  which more than 1000 women attended.    Has more than 40 years of experience helping raise funds for women’s organizations.  She is affectionately known as a Political Diva.