The Highland Lakes Democratic Women invite you to join us for our meeting luncheon at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654 on Thursday June 22, 2023 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am. Lunch will be served. Cost is $20.

HLDW will hear from speaker Becca DeFelice, Emerge Texas Executive Director, a GVP advocate/organizer, mom, and former state house candidate living in San Antonio with her husband and daughter. As an advocate, she’s proven she can deliver for Texas families through her years of advocacy with Moms Demand Action and her work with State Senator Roland Gutierrez on SB 1380, a rural mental health bill that passed in the legislature during the 87th session.

A transracial adoptee who grew up on a working farm, Becca’s unique life experience gives her the perspective necessary to build strong relationships across Texas’ diverse communities. She believes that every campaign run by a Democratic woman has value and holds important lessons for us all to learn for future success.

Becca is committed to ensuring that Texans have a deep bench of qualified women to run for office at every level, and that every woman candidate is the candidate our communities deserve to have fighting for us. Her goal is to prepare every Emerge Alum to manage the unique challenges that women face while running, have a comprehensive understanding of the policy and operative knowledge needed to run a successful campaign, and to confidently move forward post-election, win or lose.

Please RSVP to Connie Stein at connie.stein@me.com

Highland Lakes Democratic Women were entertained and educated by NASA Engineer Marybeth Edeen at the April meeting.  Ms. Edeen spent 35 years as a civil servant at NASA's Johnson Space Center. She started out in the Engineering Directorate working on Advanced Life Support System development and testing.  Next, was a move to working on International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems before her last move to leading the Space Station Research Office.  Ms. Edeen holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Rice University. 

Ms. Edeen shared amazing stories about the history and advancement of the Space Station during her tenure. HLDW was honored to welcome her to the meeting. 

HLDW meets the 4th Thursday of the month at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes TX 78654. Cost for meeting and lunch is $20 per person. 

The next HLDW meeting is Thursday April 27, 2023 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am. Our speaker will be Marybeth Edeen. Ms. Edeen spent 35 years at a civil servant at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The first third of her career was in the Engineering Directorate working on Advanced Life Support System development and testing. She spent the next third working on International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems before spending the remainder of her time working in and leading the Space Station Research Office. Ms. Edeen holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Rice University.

We are meeting at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654.

The Helping Center supports the community and the community supports The Helping Center.  It is thanks to the support of the local community that The Helping Center was able to open their new facility.  At the March 23 meeting, Paul King shared with Highland Lakes Democratic Women the successes of the new and larger structure.
 
Last year the center served their clients over 15000 times. There is no charge to the clients.  This was made possible in part by the 8800 volunteer hours from generous people that donated their time. Client visits have tripled since last year.  Thanks to the center being open during the day and also in the evening twice a week, your local neighbors have been able to “shop” for necessities in a grocery store environment.  This allows them the opportunity of an uplifting experience with encouragement to better themselves. The center currently serves 1250 families, including many new clients brought in by the challenging of today of today. The clients come from not just Marble Falls, but from surrounding counties, too.  One of the newest clients is an 85 year old retired nurse, never expecting to need help, but welcomed to the center.

Barbara King is very involved in the client education program, Learn for Life.  Clients come in seeking a better life, needing encouragement and useful life lessons.  This program offers the opportunity to make positive and lasting changes.  Their success can cause a ripple effect as their friends, neighbors and families can see their progress.  In 2022, there were over 5000 client interactions for this program which teaches education and literacy / nutrition, health and wellness / and spiritual outreach. 

The Helping Center has an impact on adults and children.  Scholarships are given to high school graduates for college and during the summer months the center ensures that that students on summer break do not go hungry.  Thanks to charitable local stores like HEB, the center is able to feed a family for a week at a cost of $15. 

 Keep an eye out for the Helping Center Book Drive as they collect new and gently used children’s books. 
Thanks to The Helping Center and to the generous community for the help and opportunities given to our less fortunate neighbors.

Each year, the Texas Democratic Women honors outstanding achievements by women in local chapters. In 2023, three women from HLDW were recognized at the TDW annual convention. Congratulations to Rose Anna Butler, Sandra Chapman and Laura Rippy, HLDW members who have gone above and beyond in their service to their organization and community.  

The picture below shows just some of the Highland Lakes Democratic Women who have been honored with Star Awards over the years.  Thank you to all of these great members.

Highland Lakes Democratic Women were well represented at the Texas Democratic Women's annual convention. From left, Ravelle Kundinger and Nancy Hill, Fundraising Co-Chairs, Susan O'Brien, TDW Board member, Shirley Schmidt, past president and Ann Stevenson, HLDW Vice President.