In Service of Central Texas
Women make their mark in local government
By Janna Zepp | Photos by Skeebo, Janna Zepp and contributed
Remembered in Texas history as saints, sinners, servants of the public and sisters-in-arms, Texas women have leadership in their blood and they don’t shy away from taking on challenges. The Lone Star State’s history teems with stories of Central Texas women who have made their mark in government leadership, including Texas suffragettes Mary Alice McFadin McAnulty of Williamson County and Clara Snell Wolfe of Austin, and two Governors of Texas, Miriam A. “Ma” Ferguson of Bell County and Ann Richards of Waco.
About 16 women currently sit on local city councils and boards of aldermen in 10 Bell County communities. In conjunction with the Women in Business issue and the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment on Aug. 18, 2020, Tex Appeal invited them to share what they have done for their communities. Keep reading to see what those who responded had to say.
BELTON
Marion Grayson
First woman mayor of Belton
“Serving as the mayor in Belton has been such a wonderful opportunity. While there have been significant developments during my terms of service, the things I most treasure are the relationships with people. I’ve met so many wonderful people, from small business owners to families that have called Belton home for generations and families who are just now discovering the goodness of Belton. My fellow council members have helped grow as a person and working with Belton staff members and residents has enriched my life. I’m in my last term, and I conclude my service with a full heart for the people of Belton.
“It makes me feel good knowing that I played a small role in all five phases of the Nolan Creek Hike & Bike Trail and in a significant expansion of Heritage Park. These are things that will bring families together for generations. The Belton Youth Advisory Commission has been a labor of love for me. I know that future leaders will come from this program. Belton has grown tremendously since I was first sworn in as a council member in May 2004. Downtown blossomed as we incentivized small business owners to improve their storefronts, UMHB is more beautiful and modern than ever, H-E-B built its best store in the region, The Gin complex at Nolan Creek became a destination, and Harris Community Center was transformed from a rundown storage building into the hub of local government and a beacon to the African-American community, which remembers well when it was a segregated schoolhouse.
“It has been my pleasure to serve the people of Belton and to feel the impact that people can have upon your heart. I will cherish these experiences forever.”
HARKER HEIGHTS
Jennifer McCann
Place 1 Councilwoman
“Serving the City of Harker Heights in the capacity I am fortunate enough to do is one of my proudest accomplishments. Being a God-loving, self-employed woman, wife, and mother of two is what gets me going every day. Having a voice and having others put their trust in me to speak for them with matters regarding our community is an honor and a privilege I do not take lightly. I have grown up in Harker Heights. I love watching it grow and thrive. Most importantly, I love the people I serve with and that we have common goals that are always pointing up.”
Jackeline Soriano Fountain
Place 3 Councilwoman
“My proudest accomplishment as it pertains to the City of Harker Heights has been winning the election and being the first Latina to do so in the 60-year history of our city. It was a hard-fought win since I had to have a runoff. The citizens stood behind me and voted me in — what an honor.
“I have always had a desire to serve. I fulfilled a 28-year military career with my last assignment as the Fort Hood Garrison’s first female Command Sergeant Major. This prepared me for the position on the City Council, and I am truly blessed to be a part of our great city — bright shining star of Central Texas.
“What I love most about being on City Council is the ability to represent our citizens by ensuring we have a seamless budget which is transparent. It is equally important to ensure that our staff has all the proper equipment to keep our citizens safe and to provide the resources to ensure that our citizens receive first class service.
“I love the opportunity to share my experience with our mayor, city manager, fellow council members, and the wonderful city staff, who are always willing to listen and make a difference in the lives of our citizens.
“It does not get any better than the City of Harker Heights which keeps on shining despite the world we live in. It continues to be an honor to serve on our city council. I am delighted to represent our city during this very special edition of Tex Appeal in conjunction with celebrating the 100 anniversary of the 19th amendment. Thanks to this amendment, I can represent our city. Ladies, let us get out and vote.”
Jody Nicholas
Place 5 Councilwoman
“I have been on the Harker Heights City Council for five years and have enjoyed welcoming our newer members and mentoring them. I was honored to be the Mayor Pro Tem for a year representing our wonderful City Council at events and meetings.
“I served on the Bell County Public Health District for a couple years representing our city. It was a great experience and I learned a lot to share with the council and the city. In 2016, I was honored to be on the committee who hired the new director of the Bell County Public Health District which is probably one of my greatest achievements from being on the City Council.”
KILLEEN
Shirley Fleming
District 1 Councilwoman
“As a Black woman on the Killeen City Council, I find it very hard to deal with our nation’s past. I grew up in a community in Kentucky when the Ku Klux Klan was most active. You can imagine a life during that time.
“Through the years, I got involved in politics. I have served as precinct chair, as an election judge, and now as president of Texas! Save Our Youth!, and president of the Stakeholders Downtown Killeen.”
Fleming holds classes monthly to make mats for our homeless community as well as monthly meetings for District 1 to help keep citizens informed and have a voice.
“I am a founder of the Killeen Democratic Party. I have been a member of the Bell County Coalition of Black Democrats for over five years. I am also a founder of the Coalition and I am the Chaplain, presently. I am vice president of the St. Joseph African-American Multicultural Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
“Currently, I am making face masks for the community and surrounding area. I have been a council member for five years. I do enjoy my position. Understanding all the political issues facing us today is a challenge. A world movement we are facing is placing us to continue this fight against injustice in our local, state, and federal governments. Working for change will not happen overnight. Together we stand. Divided we fall.”
Debbie Nash-King
District 2 Councilwoman
Debbie Nash-King served her country as a soldier, and now as a career counselor on Fort Hood. She also serves her community as Killeen City Council member for District No. 2.
Nash-King, who grew up in Pine Bluff, Ark., learned a life of service from her grandmother who worked within their community to meet the needs of the low-income and the elderly. She says her grandmother was the first leader to open the doors for the first African-American to be elected on the city council.
“I would assist my grandmother after church on the (first) Sunday of the month taking communion to members of the church that were ill. When I got home, I would assist my mother with preparing the Sunday’s meal for our family and church members in the church that did not have family that lived near,” says Nash-King.
“I decided when I was in high school that I wanted to be a missionary because I grew up in an environment learning to serve others, but instead I went to college, joined ROTC and became a military officer.”
After completing high school, she attended the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff and graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Nash-King entered military service and, after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, she attended the Medical Services Corp Officer’s course and completed her military tour as the Fort Hood Dental Clinic’s company commander.
When her Army career ended, she entered graduate school and earned a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Tarleton State University. She also has Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of California. She has served as vice president of Killeen’s NAACP chapter, secretary of Killeen Volunteers Inc., and board member of KISD Education Foundation.
“My career philosophy has always been to put the people first and provide excellent customer service,” Nash-King says. “As a teenager, I worked as a telephone campaign caller. Working as a telephone campaign caller was a fundamental building block in my journey. It taught me how to communicate and understand the needs of the people I currently serve on the City Council.”
Nash-King was a 2019 recipient of the Girl Scouts of Central Texas Women of Distinction Award, along with Rita Kelley, director of Bell County Indigent Health Services, Temple businesswoman Michelle DiGaetano and Temple College Foundation executive director Jennifer Graham.
“As a recipient, you must exemplify dedication to a cause, perseverance in getting the work done, and intelligence for knowing how to accomplish your goals and be a positive a role model to girls. These are the attributes I strive to uphold as a leader on a daily basis,” she says.
Nash-King says she realized that being on the City Council and being a career counselor was her destiny before she took on the responsibilities.
“I grew up serving others without expecting anything in return,” she says. “When I am working on a team or as an individual to assist others with reaching their goals or leading the core foundation to make them a survivor of their circumstances and not a victim of life, then the whole community wins.”
MORGAN’S POINT RESORT
Donna Hartman
Mayor Pro Tem
“It has been my honor to be a public servant for 30 years in the capacity of Alderperson, Mayor Pro Tem, and first female Mayor. I have two beautiful daughters who have wonderful husbands and five perfect grandchildren. I have been happily married for almost 48 years.
“I began my first term in 1980 as one of the youngest council members with a city population of around 300. Currently, we have around 5,000 and now I may be one of the oldest council members.
“My vision has always been to be progressive while keeping the charm and warmth of a small lakeside community. I am most proud of my role as mayor. I served in this capacity from 1998-2004, which coincided with beginning of the New Millennium and 9/11. Both brought fear and uncertainty much like today. My role was to take care of my citizens’ health, safety and welfare, with confidence and faith. At this time it was also my privilege to serve on a regional review board and a state board both appointed by then-Gov. George W. Bush.
“A great joy has been visiting students and sharing my love of city government with them. Another great joy has been playing Mrs. Claus for over 20 years. I feel been very blessed to be able to serve the citizens of Morgan’s Point Resort and have been grateful to them for providing me this opportunity.”
NOLANVILLE
Joan Hinshaw
City Council Seat No. 1
“I have been a member of our Nolanville City Council for the past four years. I am pleased that we continue to work so well together to improve the quality of life for our citizens.
“I am most proud of our newly constructed multiuse building in Monarch Park which is now home to our very own Boys & Girls Club. It provides a caring, safe atmosphere for our elementary students who come after school for a snack, fun activities, and help with homework until they are picked up by family after work. We have added a soccer/football field, basketball court, splash pond, covered playground area, scent garden, dog park and paved walking trail. What used to be a 10-acre tract of weeds is now a vibrant, well-used part of our community.
“I am also very proud of our downtown revitalization project. Our City Council and citizens wanted to give our downtown area a facelift while improving the connection between the northern and southern parts of our city which are divided from each other by railroad tracks and Interstate 14. To accomplish this, we added sidewalks along the roadway, over the tracks and under the overpass, as well as new drainage features, planters full of native plants, paved bus stops and kiosks, and decorative brick work. Now pedestrians and vehicles have a safer and more visually pleasing route.
“Working on these and other projects, I have learned how satisfying community service can be. It gives me a good feeling to know I’m part of something that will benefit my neighbors for years to come.”
SALADO
Amber Danket
Alderman
“I consider the protection of the Salado Creek and the subsequent protection of our beautiful environment one of my greatest accomplishments as an Alderman for the Village of Salado.
“Our creek is home to the Salado Salamander, a threatened species under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The species relies on clean groundwater that moves through the springs which feed Salado Creek — the same groundwater that serves as the drinking water for our village. Healthy salamanders mean healthy drinking water.
“For several years, I served as a liaison on the Bell County Adaptive Management Coalition, and paired with my professional experience, I was able to assist in the development of plans to protect the Salamander and the springs, while allowing the newly-designed sewer system to cross the creek and serve the businesses on Main Street. The addition of a sewer system, and removal of old septic systems, would significantly improve the water quality in our groundwater and in Salado Creek, which allows families to recreate there much more safely.
“Improving the environment for our current residents and generations to come is something I can feel good about.”
TEMPLE
Judy Morales
Mayor Pro Tem
“It has been an honor to have been elected to serve as the City of Temple Council Representative in District 2 and Mayor Pro Tem for nine years. For over 50 years, I have served in public service professionally and as a volunteer. With my faith in God I have always believe that nothing is impossible through God who strengthens me. This has led me to always strive to do my best to be a part of the solution and to always trust in God.
“As a woman, and a minority woman, I think it is important for others to see that there is no limit as to what a person can do. I am the first Hispanic person to ever serve on the Temple City Council.
“It has been and still is a pleasure to work with the city manager, mayor, city council members and city staff. It has truly been a team effort to approve and bring about change within our city. The doors of City Hall are always open and we encourage interaction and engagement with our citizens and their local government. It is hard for me to identify which accomplishments are the ones I am most proud of as each project is important to me if it addresses the growth and needs of our community. However, below are a few projects that come to mind that are most dear to my heart and will make a lasting impact for our citizens:
“My focus is and has always been to advocate for revitalization of older neighborhoods and creating opportunities for citizens so they too can enjoy a quality of life that others enjoy. I believe this is vital for the growth and safety of our citizens. This effort began with the city expanding its Code Compliance Department, developing a tool trailer for neighborhood clean ups as well as a tool library so that citizens may rent tools for free, that they may not have at home. With the development of the six year business plan we have identified 18 neighborhood districts that we will begin revitalizing with strategic neighborhood plans. The city also is reaching out more and collaborating with non-profits to address many of the housing needs in these blighted areas.
“I have strived for inclusion of citizens among our city committees. … There have been 18 newly appointed local men and women of color approved to serve on city committees. This has opened more communication and involvement among our citizens and increased diversity on our important committees. We want to be sure, that as a city, we are listening to everyone, from every background. I was also heavily involved in advocating for the passing of the Pay Day Loan Credit Access Businesses Regulation in the city (also known as payday lenders, cash advance, title loan, etc.) Local non-profits and banks now offer personal loans at a fair interest rate saving hundreds of dollars to many of the low-income citizens.”
Jessica Walker
District 1 Councilwoman
Jessica Walker has lived in District 1 for about 40 years and was elected as Council member for District 1 in May 2018. She grew up in Temple and graduated from Temple High School in 1984. After graduation from The University of Texas at Austin, she became a flight attendant for American Airlines and retired in 1999. Jessica and her husband Bruce have been married for 27 years and jointly run the family business, Lengefeld Lumber Company.
“My husband, Bruce and I are both (third) generation Temple (residents) and grew up watching our families give back to the community they love. I have been involved in numerous local committees, such as, the Contemporaries, the Temple Education Foundation, the Board of the Temple Chamber of Commerce, the City of Temple Planning and Zoning Commission, and served as president of the Historic District,” she says. “After having the privilege to work with these organizations I thought serving as a city council member could be a great way for me to further give back to the community that raised me.”
The Walkers have raised three children: Branan, a recent graduate of the University of Texas. Twin sons, Harrison and Connally, are college sophomores at the University of North Texas and the University of Texas. “Our kids graduated and moved on to college and the District 1 seat became available. I was enjoying working on Planning and Zoning and decided to take the leap. Running for office is intimidating and I was nervous about public scrutiny. I have learned that you cannot please everyone, but I do believe most know that I am doing my best to help grow and nourish our city. I wanted to give back to the community that has given so much to me. I enjoy working for and growing our family business. Lengefeld Lumber began in 1951 and Bruce is the (third) generation owner. When we married, I started working with my (mother-in-law), Joy Farris. Joy worked as a successful business woman for well over 50 years. She was my inspiration and taught me everything she knew about running our business. Working with family is challenging but extremely satisfying. Every decision that is made impacts our future.”
TROY
Laurie Bailey
Mayor Pro Tem
“In June 2011, the creation of the Troy Farmers Market/ Arts & Crafts Events with the support of my husband Kirk, planted the seed of leadership in local governance in my life. As a new resident to Troy, I felt led to volunteer and to encourage vitality for the city while safeguarding the community’s closeness. Through managing the market for the people and the City of Troy, I learned that people of all ages and life stages were ready for change, growth and revitalization. My scope expanded to become a Council Person At Large in 2013.
“The strength to reach these goals largely rested on acquiring and supporting a highly skilled, but caring, professional administrative team, starting with the hiring of City Administrator Jeff Straub and then Police Chief Gary Smith. I have been a part of a team that is improving services, such as new lines for water and sewer, building a new well, road improvements, offering new housing choices, infrastructure preparations for new business starts, improving under-utilized recreational facilities, storm water management projects and increased positive citizen communication, including social media. I have been blessed further by serving as Mayor Pro Tem, as well as the market manager. My accomplishments were done while being a busy mom and grandmother. As the City of Troy celebrates its 60th anniversary, on July 17, I will continue to focus on engaging partnerships and exercising care to preserve the legacy of Troy during this time of rapid growth into a robust area.”
Antonia “Toni” Vick
City Councilwoman
Toni Vick took office on May 11, replacing longtime City Councilman Calvin Creech. “Mr. Creech is a well-respected man in of the community, therefore, I have some pretty big shoes to fill.
“As a Troy High School alumna and active resident of Troy, I felt the need to preserve our small town feel and community events, even as our town is growing. I volunteer with a few of the town’s nonprofit organizations, such as Project Troy, that focuses on community events including Movie in the Park and Christmas in the Park that follows after our Christmas Parade.
“Troy Youth Football and Cheer is our nonprofit organization that focuses on the leadership and skills development for children starting at age 4 and continues until they are about age 13. I am currently director of cheer and head cheer coach for TYFC. I also volunteer on the Troy ISD District Educational Improvement Committee.
“After realizing just how much our town has grown, I noticed how much the residents of all ages wanted more: more town functions, more sense of belonging, and more of what we had when we were young. That is when I decided to run for City Council. To be able to build our community up is very dear to my heart. In my new role, I would like to focus on the town’s community parks, relationship with Troy Independent School District, and safety measures to direct planning of areas around subdivisions. I want to be one of the voices in our community that is really heard.”
