Published: 10-17-08
Mrs. Perry Announces Recipients of Annual Scholarship Program
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry today co-hosted the 9th annual Texas Conference for Women the state’s premier education and leadership forum for the women of the Lone Star State.
After eight years in Austin and reaching maximum capacity the last two years the conference moved to Houston to accommodate its growing audience. More than 6000 women attended the conference this year and more than 40000 have attended since its inception.
“Texas women have shown the world how Texans handle adversity: through hard work creativity and neighborly compassion” said Gov. Perry. “These qualities are what Texas will need as it deals with the lingering effects of Hurricane Ike and faces threats presented by the national economic downturn. But I know Texans especially Texas women will confront these challenges head on leaving our state better and stronger than ever before.”
“The Texas Conference for Women continues to unite women from all walks of life giving Texas women the power to positively impact lives their communities and the world” said Mrs. Perry. “It makes me proud that Texas is so dedicated to fostering and cultivating the important role women play in our society. Without Texas women’s work their input and their role in our communities and workplaces Texas would not harness the strength that defines it today.”
This year’s sponsors included presenting sponsor BP and co-chair sponsors HP and Wachovia. Keynote speakers were Cherie Blair a leading human rights attorney and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair; Marcus Luttrell former Navy SEAL and author of New York Times bestseller Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10; and Meg Whitman former president and CEO of eBay. Sarah Jones a Tony Award®-winning playwright actress and poet ended the day with an exclusive performance for conference attendees.
Early in the afternoon Mrs. Perry announced the 2008 Texas Conference for Women Scholarship Program award winners. The $5000 scholarship recognizes qualified women studying in the fields of arts business education math and science public service and nursing at institutions of higher education in Texas. In addition to the scholarship awardees received a laptop computer from HP.
“Each year we are overwhelmed by the hundreds of talented young women that apply for the Texas Conference for Women Scholarship and take pride in fostering educational opportunities for our state’s future leaders” said Mrs. Perry. “The governor and I are proud of this dynamic group of women who are now one step closer to achieving their goals and dreams.”
This year’s recipients were: Heather Bassett of University of North Texas; Amanda Burgess of University of North Texas; Elizabeth Castille of Texas A&M University; Rebekah Cuellar of Houston Baptist University; Isla Kristina Flores-Bayer of University of Texas at Austin; Christin Smith of University of Texas at Arlington; and Yvette Woody of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center for Nursing. With a tie in the nursing category Smith and Woody will split the proceeds.
Mrs. Perry also announced a new contest that will be featured at the 10th annual Texas Conference for Women. In partnership with HP the Texas Conference for Women Boost Your Business By Going Green contest will recognize Texas-based women-owned businesses that are making a difference through efforts to reduce their company’s environmental impact. Entries will be accepted from Jan. 1 through June 30 2009 and winners may receive up to $15000 in energy efficient technology from HP.
Texas Conference for Women is a non-profit non-partisan one-day annual conference that features more than 75 renowned speakers sharing inspirational stories and leading seminars on issues important to women including health personal finance business and entrepreneurship career resources work-life balance media and more. The Conference also offers opportunities for business networking professional development and personal growth.
For more information about the Texas Conference for Women and the Boost Your Business By Going Green contest please visit www.TxConferenceForWomen.org.
