November Newsletter

Women in Government Fall Programs

November 7, 12:25 to 12:50 p.m.

Spotlight: SB 1717 (2023) Relating to the prosecution of the offense of stalking (virtual)

In their last session, the Texas Legislature amended Code of Criminal Procedure to update the situations where stalking can be charged. How will this change protect stalking victims and their families? Amanda Aubrey, Legal Policy Manager for the Texas Council on Family Violence, will be speaking on the amendments and how they will help victims.

Register Here.

November 16, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Check in opens at 9:15)

emBOLDenHER Workshop: Running for Nonpartisan Office (virtual & in-person)

Toying with a run for city council or school board? We’ve got a program for you! Join us for a day and learn how to create a message, design social media that supports your message, and plan your canvassing. Attendees are welcome to join virtually or in person (OMB 257). Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. Zoom log-in at 9:15. Register Here.

December 6, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

emBOLDenHER Workshop: Enhancing Collaboration as a Leader in Multi-generational Work Spaces (virtual & in-person)

Good workplace collaboration leads to healthy employee relationships and creates a positive workplace culture. Plus team work makes the dream work, right?!! Join TWU's Dr. Shannon Scott as she flexes her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology giving us some practical ways to amplify collaboration through change and conflict in the workplace. Lunch provided. Register Here.

Summit and Election Follow Up

Marlene Phillips, CWG Director

Many thanks to those of you who were able to attend the Leading the Lone Star State: Texas Women in Public Service Summit back on October 17 in Denton. It was an inspiring day, and we hope you've felt motivated to commit or recommit to public service due to something you heard or experienced at the Summit.

That brings me to today. Whether your candidate won their race or not, our representative government still needs you. By my own unofficial count, Texas women, made some progress in yesterday's election. Six more women will be sworn in as member of the Texas House of Representatives in 2025, for a total of 52 women or 35% of the Texas House. Despite this good news, women still hold less than 30% of the elected positions statewide.

So our work continues. Check out our programs and see what we offer to increase the number of women in public service careers including elected office. I invite you to engage further in civic life, and let us know if we can help along the way. More at www.twu.edu/cwg

November 17th deadline to apply for PLEN's January Public Policy seminar scholarship

Maria Ninfa Rodriguez Laurenzo namesake restaurant in Houston

Maria Ninfa Rodriguez Laurenzo and Esperanza “Hope” Lancarte marched into the culinary arts industry as business and family women defying stereotypes along the way.

Both women were born in the 1920s and experienced a world where women were expected to be culinary experts in the home while the professional culinary field was dominated by men. 

Maria and her husband began a food products company which Maria skillfully turned into a thriving restaurant called Ninfa’s. Hope grew up working in the family business, Joe T. Garcia’s. By 1979, Hope expanded the restaurant into a larger business, Joe T. Garcia’s Enterprises Inc., with catering services and a bakery café.

These women and many others are featured on the Texas Counties Map in the Sue S. Bancroft Women’s Leadership Hall. Visit and learn more about Texas women and their stories.