Hill Country Chapter of
Texas Democratic Women
May 2021
May Meeting
Tuesday, May 4 at noon
Riverside Nature Center
150 Francisco Lemos Street, Kerrville

Gathering outdoors with masks and social distancing, the Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women will wind up its 2020-2021 year with an action-packed program. In addition to installing officers for the 2021-2022 year,, members will celebrate victories, recognize leaders and look ahead to a very consequential election year.
 
The May 4 meeting will be held at Riverside Nature Center in the Pavilion beginning at 12 noon. The Pavilion allows outdoor seating that can be moved to a distance that is comfortable for members. Everyone attending will be wearing a mask, and there will be no food or beverages served.

In addition to our speaker, Royce Brooks, the program will be jam-packed with other activities.
 
The meeting will include a special tribute to Anna Osborn, a leader in both the chapter and the Kerr County Democratic Party, who died from complications of surgery earlier this month. The current Board of Directors will review milestones achieved by the Chapter during the pandemic lock-down.

Membership Chair Barbara Young will point to the chapter’s maintaining its membership level despite having to meet virtually, outdoors or in food lines. Legislative chair Judy Ferguson will alert members to critical legislation that must be supported or opposed during the final weeks of the 2021 Session.
 
Finally, incoming president Stephanie Ertel will make a presentation anticipating future events for the Chapter, which hopes to resume monthly luncheon meetings at the Salvation Army Kroc Community Center in September 2021.
Dedicated Democrat Anna Osborn
Anna and her husband, John, at a Democratic Party Christmas dinner in 2017.
 
Anna Osborn, a leader in our Democratic community in Kerr County, passed away in the hospital on April 15 after complications from surgery in March. Anna loved to talk politics with her Democratic friends. She often responded to objectionable letters to the editor in the Kerrville Daily Times. Her sharp wit and sense of humor will be missed.
 
Anna was a long-time member of HCCTDW and served on the board as secretary in the 2014-2015 year. Prior to the pandemic lockdown, Anna and her husband, John, hosted the monthly Evening Without Tea potluck dinner, a tradition started by former HCCTDW President Brenda Harrison. Everyone looked forward to Anna’s latest dessert and John’s pork tenderloin.
 
Anna also took a lead role in Democratic Party fundraising efforts. Her most recent effort involved a lot more baking than she bargained for.
Royce Brooks

Royce Brooks, executive director of Annie’s List, will bring an exciting message about the future of Democratic women candidates in Texas elections to the May 4 meeting of HCCTDW. Under Brooks’s leadership, Annie’s List plans to build on phenomenal success in the 2020 election cycle, including a record of 1,000 Texas women trained to be candidates or to work on campaigns, thirty-eight endorsed and thirty-one elected.
 
Brooks has enjoyed an impressive career encompassing both policy and electoral politics. From her childhood in Ft. Worth, Brooks had many achievements as a graduate of Rice University and Harvard Law School, as legislative counsel and subcommittee staff director in the U.S. Senate and as a policy analyst with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

At the time she joined Annie’s List in 2018, she was serving as the first chief equity officer for the City of Atlanta, Georgia, working with elected leaders, community groups and researchers to address inequality in the city.
 
On the campaign side, Brooks worked for Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston and on the Wendy Davis campaign for governor of Texas in 2014. Her many awards include the Texas Legislative Black Caucus’s Barbara Jordan Leadership Award and the Black Austin Democrats’ Beacon of Light Award.
 
Annie’s List, named for Texas Governor Ann Richards, was formed inn 2003 to respond to Karl Rove’s targeted efforts to reduce the number of women in the Texas legislature. The purpose of Annie’s List is very simply to do everything it takes to elect Democratic women who will advocate for women and families to local, district and state offices.
President’s Thoughts

“Thanks for the Memories” was Bob Hope’s theme song. I can’t set my memories to music but I can share memories from this past year as your president.

Thanks for the memory of our 2020-2021 term of office which was certainly a different experience for our Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women. We were able to have our regular luncheon meetings until the pandemic hit us in March. Our annual meeting in April had to be canceled and the election of officers done electronically. The board decided we would not meet in person until it was safe for our members to do so. That meant looking for other ways to connect and conduct meetings.

Thanks for the memory of webinars in September and October that allowed us to get to know candidates we supported. The venue allowed us to connect with each of these candidates in a more personal way. We owe these brave men and women thanks for their willingness to run for office. Some have said they will try again so we look forward to supporting them in the future.

Thanks for the memory of "Our Evening with Molly" fundraiser that was canceled. Items for the silent auction had already been collected so we held an online auction. It proved to be very successful as we raised over a thousand dollars to send to candidates. Big thanks go to Sue Sommers and her committee who had planned the evening and collected the auction items. Thanks to those who donated items, those who bid and to Kathleen Keller who delivered the items to the lucky winners. Thanks to you who saw the need and made separate donations.

Thanks for the memory of the board members who delivered goody bags to each HCCTDW member. It was a fun time for us to decorate our cars and ourselves as we made these special deliveries. Some recipients did not quite know what to think about these masked delivery ladies. Our goal was to remind our members that they were important to us even when we couldn’t be together.

Many thanks for the memory of those of you who joined our campaign to help Mustard Seed Ministries as it provided needed food for the community. It was rewarding to greet members at Mt. Wesley-Light on the Hill as you drove by to deliver money, food and supplies. You gave our Christmas and Valentine’s Day meetings new meaning. 

Thanks for the memory of the changing guidelines for dealing with the pandemic which allowed us to change too. We met face mask to face mask, following distancing requirements, outside at the Nature Center pavilion for special events. First to celebrate Women’s Suffrage and the election of Joe Biden,, Kamala Harris, Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez and Rebecca Bell-Metereau (State Board of Education.) We gathered to watch on TV as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were inaugurated. We felt we were almost there as we joined together with our applause. In April we met for the annual meeting to elect new officers.
 
Thanks for the memory of a board willing to learn to zoom for our meetings. It was quite a challenge when my internet would go out and the members kept going. Thanks for the memory of the work Stephanie Ertel did as vice president. The programs she arranged and the logistics for meetings, our goody bags and donations were outstanding. Thanks to Linda Stegall for keeping our minutes for board and general meetings. It was quite a challenge understanding everyone on those zoom meetings. Many thanks to Julie Sentell for taking on the job of treasurer. We are grateful she completed the challenge to correct charter details that had been neglected. Thanks to membership chairman Barbara Young for the 100 members, we have this year. What a special achievement to have that many members when we haven’t been able to have our luncheon meetings. Thanks to Judy Lundquist who took reservations when needed even though she had to resign from the board. Thanks to Judy Ferguson who took the position of legislative chairman. Judy kept us informed of the issues facing the Texas legislature. Thanks to Judy Campbell and Jana Colgate for keeping the HCCTDW website and Facebook page up to date. 

Thanks for the memory of a very special lady, Jeannie Berger, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty with the newsletter. Jeannie made sure the newsletter was out in a timely manner with a follow up reminder before each meeting. She sent announcements to the newspapers. When we had the auction, Jeannie sent out the offerings each week. Jeannie designed the ad HCCTDW had in the paper’s special edition celebrating Women’s Suffrage. She and Barbara Young put the yearbook together and it was mailed to each member. Thank you Jeannie.

Thanks for the memory of having served for two years as president of HCCTDW. It has been an honor. I was blessed to have a hard-working board that was determined we would continue to be an active relevant association no matter the circumstances. Thank you members who stayed with us and understood our challenges. We have a special group of officers for 2021-2022. I look forward to their leadership.    

Thanks for the memories -- I thank you so much.
 
ONE MORE THING
We have all heard the phrase: “Before you judge a woman (man), walk a mile in her (his) shoes.” Too many times we assume if we can do something other people can too. We assume others are treated as we are treated. We like to think we are treating others following the Golden Rule.. It is sad to realize that isn’t the world in which we live

In 1991 I was given insight many are just now understanding because of the events we have seen on TV in 2020 and 2021. I was a participant in Leadership Texas. One of our sessions was on education. We were in Dallas and heard from a panel of students enrolled in magnet schools. During the question-and-answer period a young black man, who attended the medical magnet school, was asked what his future plans were. His answer stunned us all. “I just want to finish high school and not be killed.” We thought he meant from gangs but he explained “the talk” we have heard so much about since George Floyd’s death.

Race relations seem to be a topic like religion and politics we don’t talk about in polite society. We talk politics because we are members of Texas Democratic Women. Most of us are well informed as to what is going on in the legislature and in Washington, D.C. Some of us are involved with the immigration situation. Few of us are aware of the day-to-day challenges black, brown and Asian citizens face. As we have become more aware of life outside our personal bubble, we are realizing we can’t avoid the topic. It seems we must face systematic racism.                           

There are many books and programs we can read and watch that will help us have a better understanding of this problem. One I suggest you read is Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. Perhaps you know others our members should read. I hope you will share those titles with friends. As we close this year I challenge each of us to examine our attitudes on this issue. I hope we can work to make the hill country a little closer to that more perfect union written in our Constitution. Working together I know we can make a difference.
 
Sylvia Ostos 
Officers Elected for 2021-2022 Year
 At the annual meeting of HCCTDW held at the Riverside Nature Center on April 6, 2021, the following officers were nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the members who were present.
President, Stephanie Ertel
Stephanie Ertel is a retired lawyer who grew up in Kerrville, and returned in 2006 after a legal career in Dallas. Stephanie and her husband, Rick, are very concerned about environmental issues and immigration policy that affects asylum-seekers. 
 
Stephanie and Rick live in Mountain Home on sixty acres in a home that depends on rainwater and solar energy. An active Democrat for all her adult life, Stephanie was a candidate for District 53 State Representative in 2016 and 2018. Stephanie has served on the board of HCCTDW as President (2009-2011), Vice President (2008-2009 and 2020-2021), Public Relations Chair and Legislative Chair.
Vice President, Lynette Wedig
Lynette and her husband Tony retired to Kerrville in 2019 to be closer to grandchildren. She was born and raised in South Texas, lived in San Antonio, and moved to New Mexico when her children attended Texas Tech University. Lynette is active in the Kerr County Democratic Party as the Precinct Chair for Precinct 220.
 
Lynette is a retired Texas public and private school math teacher and a New Mexico Community College Professor, who was always an active member of the American Federation of Teachers. Prior to moving to Kerrville, Lynette’s community involvement included service on numerous community boards (zoning and planning, chamber of commerce, hunger and homelessness coalitions, church, and the arts) and in positions related to her impressive keyboard skills, as musical director and keyboardist at church, for a musical theater, and as a performer in several bands and combos.

Secretary, Linda Stegall
Linda was born in Beaumont, Texas but moved to Louisiana for a few years, then later moved to Houston, where she went through grade school. She graduated from the University of Houston with a teaching degree and taught special education for twenty-six years.
 
Linda's husband is a retired special education teaches. Her son is a computer specialist and is married with three sons and lives in Dallas. Her daughter is a lawyer teaching English to law students in France. She lives in Rully, France and is married to a French wine salesman and has three teenage children.
 
During the twenty-two years they have lived in Kerrville, they have traveled a lot, visiting their daughter in France many times and have loved the sights in Paris. They love living in Kerrville and the hill country. Linda is on the board of American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, and has joined four book groups. It is good to stay busy and enjoy life to the fullest. The communication committee has been fun to work on for Texas Democratic Women
Treasurer, Julie Sentell
Julie moved to Kerrville at the end of August 2011 when she retired from Western Texas College in Snyder as director of international student services, one of several positions she held there. She was born and raised in Amarillo and lived in Austin and Snyder prior to her move to Kerrville.
 
Julie has participated in community activities wherever she lived, serving on non-profit boards, and volunteering with community service organizations. Since moving to Kerrville, she has shared her time with several local non-profits, including the Texas Heritage Music Foundation, the Hill Country Vocal Arts Society, the League of Women Voters-Hill Country Texas, Schreiner University, and Kerr Konnect. She has also served the Hill Country Chapter-Texas Democratic Women as Treasurer (2020-2021) and Newsletter Editor (2014-2016).
Sylvia Ostos: A Remarkable Leader
Sylvia Ostos of Gillespie County has led the chapter since May 2019. Members will have a special opportunity at the May 4 meeting to thank Sylvia for her leadership through unexpected and unique challenges.
 
Sylvia’s first term began in 2019 as we looked ahead to exciting elections and planned fundraisers to support the organization and candidates. In March 2020, everything changed with the pandemic lock-down. The Molly Ivins movie and fundraiser was cancelled and the silent auction went on line. Elections and meetings could no longer take place in person.
 
As a result of Sylvia’s leadership, our chapter was able to contribute significant amounts to state campaigns, with wins in the State Board of Education and the 4th Court of Appeals. The challenges of Zoom and social distancing were met with calm determination, setting the stage for a return to “normal” in the ’21-’22 year with at least 100 members.
 
This photo taken at the Lots of Love Food Drive last February for Mustard Seed Ministries at Mt. Wesley captures Sylvia’s leadership. She is carrying two sacks of food while dressed in red with her heart pin in the spirit of the event and wearing her mask to protect members who were driving through and dropping off food.
HCCTDW Legislative Report

After watching the presentation by State Senator Nathan Johnson on Medicaid Expansion, it would seem that passing the necessary legislation would be a no-brainer; but, alas, it was soundly defeated with only one Republican voting for it. Once again, Texas and Texans will suffer from lack of health care insurance options.
 
We should continue to advocate that the state legislature distribute the federal funds for relief for school districts adversely affected by COVID-19. School systems are being forced to cut back budgets due to the state holding the money allocated to schools to balance other parts of the state’s budget.
 
Senate Bill 7 on voting restrictions has passed and been sent to the House for further action.

*Here's what you need to know:

It is important to keep letting Andrew Murr know that we are opposed to these voter restrictions.

* From Texas Tribune
Membership 2021

We welcome two members joining in April, Pat Kobe and Sandra Haldeman. We are now 100 strong!

If you would like to join, the Membership form is available at this link: Membership Form

Simply print the form and follow the directions. Please contact me if you have questions.
 
Barbara Young Membership Chair
Phone 830-238-3630
Relay for Life of Kerr County Rescheduled
 
The Democrat’s “Dems for a Cure” team is registered for Relay for Life of Kerr County, which has been rescheduled for Friday, September 17, 2021 at the Hill Country Youth Event Center. Our team will be the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as part of Relay’s “Everything Disney” theme this year. At the 2019 Relay, our team won an award for our outstanding participation. Contributions, including purchasing luminaries to honor loved ones affected by cancer, can be made on line at “Relay for Life of Kerr County” under our Dems for a Cure Team.
Be Sure to Vote in Local Elections If Eligible
 
Local elections on Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Kerr and Gillespie Counties are very important opportunities to exercise the right to vote and make a difference in nonpartisan contests. Early voting began on Monday, April 19 and concludes on Tuesday, April 27.
 
Municipalities in Kerr County are holding elections. Place 1 on the Kerrville City Council is a contested race. In Ingram, there are two positions at large that are contested.
 
Both the Fredericksburg City Council and the Fredericksburg ISD School Board are holding contested elections.
 
Bandera County does not have any elections scheduled for May 2021. They will have Bandera ISD School Board and City of Bandera elections in November 2021.
 
Voters can go to votetexas.gov to check their voter registration and their eligibility to vote in certain local elections. The website also provides information about polling locations, dates and times for Early Voting and Election Day Voting.
 
The current Texas Voter Registration card is an orange color and the right hand side of the card lists the eligible elections for the voter per their residential address. 
 
League of Women Voters - Hill Country Texas has candidate information with League questions and candidate answers available at the League website: VOTE411.org. Voter guides to the elections listed above are also available at www.lwvhillcountrytexas.org. 
Democratic Events Around the Hill Country

Please refer to websites and other contact information for updates on area activities.
There is a lot going on!
Sign up to get news announcements from our Democratic partners around the Hill Country.
 
Kerr County Democratic Party
Go to kerrcountydemocrats.org to learn about Democratic activities in Kerr County.
To receive emails from the Kerr County Democratic Party, email [email protected] and ask to be added to the mailing list.
 
Bandera County Democratic Club
For information, write Eloise Clayton at ekc@att,net.
Chair of the Bandera County Democratic Party: Lynn Oliver, 210-687-9701
 
Gillespie County Democrats
Gillespie County Democratic Party Headquarters, 209 N. Crockett, Suite 1, Fredericksburg 
For information, go to gillespiedemocrats.org.
 
Democratic Women of Comal County
Visit democraticwomenofcomalcounty.com for more information.
 
Medina County Democrats

Kendall County Democratic Party. 
 
Boerne Area Democrats 
Contact Information for Officers and Executive Board (2020-2021)
President: Sylvia Ostos - [email protected] 
Vice President: Stephanie Ertel - [email protected]
Secretary: Linda Stegall - [email protected]
Treasurer: Julie Sentell - [email protected]  
 
Standing Committee Chairs
Communications: To be announced
Legislative: Judy Ferguson - [email protected]        
Membership: Barbara Young - [email protected]  
Parliamentarian & Bylaws: Barbara Wise - [email protected] 
Public Relations & Newsletter: Jeannie Berger - [email protected] 
 
Contact information for new officers will be published in the next newsletter.
You are welcome to contact any of the officers or committee chairs for information.
Write them directly by clicking on the email links following their names.

Please do not reply to this newsletter.