January 2026

TDW-EC welcomed member, Liza Hameline, who gave an informative presentation on the importance of voting in the primary election – even if a candidate is unopposed, how we can turn Texas BLUE, and answered many questions. Liza is a Texas attorney with over 23 years in regulatory compliance and policy, including work on Capitol Hill with the Children’s Defense Fund advancing legislation to prevent childhood gun deaths. A longtime resident in Irving, in Dallas County, she has held senior regulatory and policy roles with GE Capital, Tenet Healthcare, and Amazon, and has served Dallas County as an Election Judge since 2020. In 2024, she was elected National Delegate for Vice President Kamala Harris representing CD-6 and later founded the Beltline Area Democrats after leading a bipartisan campaign that turned out 500 new voters in Irving’s most recent City Council election. She continues to champion the long-neglected democrats in the suburban and rural counties across CD-6, no matter how the maps are drawn.

December 2025

Working together with the Ellis County Democratic Party, TDW-EC collected toiletries, puzzles, blankets, games and other items to create gift bags to give to residents of local area nursing homes. Because of this effort, over 60 nursing home patients will have gifts for Christmas. Special thanks to Terri Crouch, Julie Mendenhall, Ginger Cole and Kathryn Mossom for organizing and delivering gifts for this Silver Gift Bag project.

September 2025

TDW-EC collected and donated baby items to Waxahachie CARE for mothers in need. Shown are Deidre Hamid, Executive Director of Waxahachie CARE; Julie Mendenhall, Community Outreach Chair; and Nancy Post, TDW-EC President.

Vikki Goodwin spoke about her priorities as the next Lt. Governor of Texas. Shown are Kelly Blackburn, Chair of the Ellis County Democratic Party; Vikki Goodwin; and Nancy Post, TDW-EC President.

June 2025

TDW-EC held a peaceful demonstration at the Ellis County Courthouse with the theme of “We Believe” to let others know there are Democrats in Ellis County who believe in protecting our Constitution and our democracy.

May 2025

Lynda Begnaud and Bruce Wilson of TCW-EC presented Red Oak High School graduates, Makenzi Harden and Destan Burks, each with a $1,000 check as the recipients of the 2025 Emma Wilson Memorial Scholarship. TDW-EC raises funds each year to help support young women in Ellis County further their education.

March 2025

TDW-EC held its annual Baby Shower benefiting Hope Health. Every year, TDW-EC members donate baby supplies and money. The staff at Hope Health use these donations to make diaper bags for expectant mothers. For many of the mothers, this is the first (and sometimes the only) new thing they get for their baby. Hope Health is grateful for the support of TDW-EC to help these new moms. Frances Casanova and other staff of Hope Health spoke at the March meeting to discuss Maternal Health in Ellis County and to pick up the donations.

February 2025

Coach Ricardo Miller, Author, Life Coach, Speaker and Red Oak City Council member, was the guest speaker at the February 18th meeting. Coach Miller addressed the topic “Why Black Men Are Moving Away from the Democratic Party”.

A rally organized by Indivisible https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible was attended by a broad spectrum of Americans in front of John Cornyn’s office Thursday, February 6, 2025. One of the issues for the rally was the balance of power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. With many executive orders being issued it is important that our congress not be usurped by diverting or clawing back funds appropriated by congress. Our country’s success lies in respecting the democratic process and the faithful execution of our laws.

November 2024

Valerie Holman, Client Coordinator of Waxahachie CARE, shared information at the November meeting about the services the organization provides to those in need.

July 2024

TDW hosted Ruby Faye Woolridge during the July meeting. Ruby Faye provided a great message for turning out the vote. Many thanks to her for an inspiring message!

April 2024

TDW hosted Ann Drumm, the North Texas Coordinator of American Promise – an organization committed to the passage of a constitutional amendment to restore reasonable limits on money in our campaigns and elections.

Providing Voter Registration information to High School students

March 2024

One of the many functions of TDW-Ellis County is to provide Voter Registration information to High School students. Here, Mary Brooks is presenting to Waxahachie High School seniors about the importance of voting. Because of the hard work of volunteers with TDW-Ellis County, over 250 high school students have registered to vote so far in 2024.

August 2023

TDW hosts a food drive each year to help a local community organization. Mary Lou Shipley, TDW President and Julie Mendenhall, TDW Outreach Chair made the delivery of boxes of donated food to Helping Hands Food Pantry in Ennis. Thank you to all who donated to this wonderful cause to help those in need.

July 2023

U.S. Congressional Candidate for Texas District 6, John Love III was our guest speaker at our July meeting.

Christmas 2022

The season was filled with caring for others, sharing joy, and being together.

Annual Baby Shower

The Annual Baby Shower benefitting Hope Health was a huge success! Thank you to all who donated and attended.

Spring Tea

Photos from our Spring Tea to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment (two years delayed because of the pandemic)

The Spring Tea Committee – L to R

Emma Wilson, Mary Lou Shipley, Lynda Begnaud, Tina Williams and Rebecca Cockerham

Ellis County African American Hall of Fame

TDW of Ellis County was recognized for its support of the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame at the induction ceremony for outstanding African Americans in Ellis County.

Barbecue Fundraiser with the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame

Texas Democratic Women of Ellis County held a barbecue fundraiser with the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum & Library on Saturday, September 18. Thank you to all who donated and made it a success!

Baby Shower for Hope Clinic

The Baby Shower for Hope Clinic on August 22, 2021 was a huge success. Thank you to all of you who donated! We appreciate your support.

Voter Registration

Voter registration booth at the 2021 Juneteenth Celebration at the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library

TDW Members Helen Brock and Nancy Post having a voter registration table at the Waxahachie Farmer’s Market.

Beto Rally

Jana Lynne Sanchez along with TDW of Ellis County members and others at the Beto Rally on June 9 in Getzendaner Park in Waxahachie.

Thank You Notes

TDW of Ellis County received a thank you note from Hope Clinic for a donation we made to them in February.

TDW of Ellis County received a thank you from North Ellis County Outreach for our latest donation.

North Ellis County Outreach

Thank you to Ellis County Democrats and TDW of Ellis County for your generosity. Our food drive for North Ellis County Outreach was a huge success!

L to R – Lynda Begnaud – TDWEC President; Patricia Paige – TDWEC Outreach Chairperson; Emma Wilson – TDWEC Vice-President; Helen Brock – TDWEC Treasurer; Kelly Blackburn – Ellis County Democratic Chair

Representatives from Ellis County Democrats and TDW of Ellis County deliver food donations to North Ellis County Outreach.

L to R – Emma Wilson, Vice-president of TDWEC; Lynda Begnaud, President of TDWEC; Denise Butler, Executive Director of NECO; Patricia Paige, Outreach Chairperson for TDWEC; Helen Brock, Treasurer of TDWEC; Kelly Blackburn, Ellis County Democratic Chair

Patricia Paige, TDW of Ellis County’s Outreach Chair, gives a monetary donation to Denise Butler, Executive Director of North Ellis County Outreach. TDW of Ellis County has donated over $2,000 this year to NECO.

In Remembrance

One of our members, Blythia Davis, passed away in September of 2020. You will be missed! She was buried in Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, TX.

Baby Shower for Hope Clinic

Texas Democratic Women of Ellis County held their annual baby shower for Hope Clinic. Due to restraints of Covid-19, the shower was a drive-by baby shower. Baby items are donated to Hope Clinic. The Clinic serves health needs of uninsured residents in Ellis County. Expectant mothers are given a bag of necessary items to help care for their newborn babies. Shown in the photo – L to R – Lynda Begnaud, president of TDW of Ellis County and Kevin Crouch, Outreach Coordinator for Hope Clinic.

Lunch at The Reservation at Waxahachie High School

Ten of us enjoyed gumbo and beignets at “The Reservation”, Waxahachie High School’s culinary department restaurant on February 21.

Guest Speaker – Jesse Gibson

Jesse Gibson, our guest speaker, gave a presentation about Pea Island Life-Saving Station.

Highlights from the TDW State Convention

Food donations to North Ellis County Outreach

Our bimonthly food donation to North Ellis County Outreach. From L to R – Pat Paige (Outreach Committee Chair) and Denise Butler (Executive Director of North Ellis County Outreach)

MLK Jr. Parade 2020

Dallas Women’s March 2020

TDW of Ellis County members attended the Dallas Women’s March. This year’s event honored the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment

December 2019 TDW Toy Drive for a local charity

TDW Christmas Party – December 7, 2019

TDW Members celebrated at their Christmas party on Saturday, December 7 at Ellis County Democratic Headquarters.

Turkey Dinner Donations to the underserved in Ellis County

Texas Democratic Women of Ellis County are spreading cheer this holiday season. Members donated 20 complete, uncooked turkey dinners to needy families throughout Ellis County.

Star Award Recipient – Lucinda Windsor

Lucinda Windsor is the TDW of Ellis County Star Award recipient. She has worked tirelessly for years doing voter registration drives in local high schools. Congratulations to Lucinda and thank you!

October Food Donations to North Ellis County Outreach

Left to Right – Denise Butler (Executive Director of North Ellis County Outreach), Patricia Paige (TDW Outreach Chairperson), and Lynda Begnaud (President of TDW of Ellis County)

October 12, 2019 Fall Fundraiser Luncheon

In attendance were:
guest speaker, Gilberto Hinojosa, Chair of the Texas Democratic Party
Bill Brandon, Senior Advisor to the Texas Democratic Party
Mary Lou Shipley and Chuck Beatty, Waxahachie City Council members
J.R. Phillips, Ellis County Democratic Party Chair
Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge
Jo Ann Jenkins, founder of TDW of Ellis County
and many other faithful Ellis County Democrats

Summer Retreat Attendees

From L to R: Jerome Begnaud, Lynda Begnaud, Rebecca Cockerham, and Doug Cockerham attended the TDW Summer Retreat in Lubbock, TX

Fish Fry

TDW Ellis County Fish Fry on April 13, 2019 at Sardis Point Cafe in Midlothian, Texas

A good time was had by all!

Blue Ribbon Lobby Day

Blue Ribbon Lobby Day at the Texas State Capitol on April 2, 2019 which was also Equal Pay Day. Seen above are those in attendance from all TDW chapters. In attendance from TDW Ellis County were Lynda Begnaud and Emma Wilson (left).

Reception for Nancy Cannaday

A reception was held for outgoing Ellis County Democratic Chair, Nancy Cannaday, on February 16 at Ellis County Democratic Headquarters. Nancy was ECD Chair from 2011 to January of 2019.

Jim Schermbeck, Speaker

Jim Schermbeck, director of Downwinders at Risk and a long-time environmental community organizer in DFW, was the speaker for the Texas Democratic Women of Ellis County’s monthly meeting in November 2018. He opened the Dallas office of the National Toxics Campaign in 1989, and then moved to Downwinders in 1994, where he’s remained ever since. Also present, was board member Carolyn Ross. Jim spoke about the dangers of particulate matter in the air that we breathe, and what they are doing at Downwinders to inform the public and change public policy. To learn more go to downwindersatrisk.org.

From left to right –
Kathy KinKaid, Jim Schermbeck, Lynda Begnaud, and Carolyn Ross

Gladys Burns, Speaker

Gladys Burns (center) was the speaker at our September 15, 2018 meeting. She is the Ellis County Volunteer Specialist for Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis County. She spoke to the group about how Meals on Wheels helps disabled and elderly people to remain independent and healthy in their own homes by providing home-delivered meals, daily personal contact, and support for individuals and their families. We learned how to become a volunteer. To learn more about volunteer opportunities go to their website – http://mowjec.org

L to R in photo – Kathy KinKaid, Gladys Burns, and Lynda Begnaud

Baby Shower for Hope Clinic

Texas Democratic Women of Ellis County held a baby shower for Hope Clinic in Waxahachie. Hope Clinic provides care for expectant mothers regardless of income status or ability to pay. Kevin Crouch, the Outreach Coordinator for Hope Clinic, was present to accept the donations. He said donations help to alleviate financial stress for those faced with an unexpected pregnancy, or for mothers who simply can’t afford the added expenses that come with having a baby.

L to R in photo
Kevin Crouch, Kathy KinKaid, and Lynda Begnaud

Women’s Equality Day

A bipartisan group from Ellis County attended the Women’s Equality Day Celebration at Dallas City Hall on Wednesday, August 24 at noon. Women’s Equality Day has been celebrated annually for over 20 years with a program by a local Dallas women’s organization, Women’s Issues Network (WIN). The group celebrated the 94th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment allowing women the right to vote with an event at Dallas City Hall. In attendance from Ellis County from left to right were Shari Adkisson, Kathy KinKaid, Cathy Mitchell, Jo Ann Jenkins, Jan Sanders, Betty Ritchie, Barbara Fudge, Jettie Nonte, Maxine Weatherford, and Ruth Self.

Liberal Lunch in Ennis

Helping Hands

Food Pantry Donation to Helping Hands of Ennis in April, 2018.