Women in Tyler Committee Announces Honorees for Upcoming Luncheon

TYLER — The Women in Tyler Planning Committee hosted a reception to introduce the 2015 honorees on Monday at the McClendon House. Women in Tyler was founded in 1999 as a way to celebrate Women’s History Month and to honor women who have contributed to the quality of life in the community, according to a news release. Each year, a planning committee has gathered to select women who are then honored at a celebratory luncheon held each March. “The committee asked for nominations from the public in August that fit our 2015 theme, ‘Women With a Heart’” said Sandra Nauls-Mast, event co-chair. “We received numerous nominations and the committee selected six deserving women.”

The luncheon will be held on March 19 at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. The doors open at 11 a.m. and the program starts at 11:45 a.m. To make reservations, send a $25 check to Women in Tyler at P.O. Box 1432, Tyler, TX 75710. You’re asked to reserve seats early because the event typically sells out.

“This year we are recognizing women who have shown unconditional love, compassion and support of others,” said Donna Mann, 2015 event co-chair. “Their work and leadership embody the tremendous spirit of community service – truly the ‘Women With a Heart’ in our great city.”

Here’s a rundown of the honorees as outlined in the news release:

1. Debbie Broughton: Founder and Director of Young Girls With Purpose, which began in 2002. This program teaches the importance of health, intellect, purpose and beauty. She has taught a gospel aerobics class for 10 years, and she herself has lost more than 100 pounds. Debbie is also a music teacher.

2. Ruth Flynn: Previous director of the internationally famous Tyler Junior College Apache Belles. She started directing this premier collegiate team in 1984 and committed 27 years of her life to perfecting not only routines, but also the character and integrity of each Apache Belle. She started the Apache Belle Gold alumni group as well as Belle Babes, a dance workshop for girls ages 4 to 12.

3. Peaches Owen: For more than 20 years, Peaches and her husband, Louis, have conducted pre-marital counseling at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Peaches had a very humble beginning, being one of five children of a shoe salesman in Galveston. Peaches went to work right after high school to help support the family. She married her husband and moved to Tyler so he could start an engineering company. They eventually became wealthy and set up a foundation to support many worthy causes. However, when they gave $18 million to Trinity Mother Frances for the heart hospital, it was from their own pocket and not from their foundation. Peaches is a big supporter of Girl Scouts and other charities.

4. Carmen Sosa: Founder of East Texas Community Food Coalition. She helped the farmers’ market at the fairgrounds transition into a producer-only market. Her coalition aspires to connect farmers with restaurants for the farm-to-fork movement. She is the garden coordinator at St. Paul’s Children’s Foundation and the St. Louis Early Childhood Center. She serves on the board of the East Texas Food Bank. Through her efforts, food stamp and WIC recipients can now use those benefits at the farmers’ markets.

5. Phyllis Tindel: Former program manager for the Teenage Parents’ Program at Tyler Independent School District. For more than 20 years she has had a positive effect on teen moms. She encouraged all her students to finish school and helped them overcome their many obstacles to lead successful lives. She has also served on the Women’s Symphony League and the Junior League of Tyler, and is past president and member of the Mildred Floyd Garden Club. She continues a lifelong passion of educating our youth with her involvement in Delta Kappa Gamma and the International Society for Key Women Educators.

6. Alesha Williams: An attorney with a passion for helping others. She has served on the PATH board, is a member of Tyler Executive Women’s Network and a graduate of Leadership Tyler, She is active in the SFA alumni association and has served in many positions with the Smith County Bar Association and the Bar Foundation. She volunteers with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. She is a member and officer with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. When Alesha gives her time to an organization, she gives with all her heart.