Minutes of Texas Democratic Women of Ellis County at 6pm on 2/21/2023
President Mary Lou Shipley called the meeting to order at 6pm.
Attendants were James Allen, Willie Allen, Lynda & Jerome Begnaud, Helen Brock, Becky Cockerham, Lynn Davis, Ora Frazier, Barbara Fudge, Vivian Gibson, Sheron Levingston, Susan Levingston, Ron Levingston, Julie Mendenhall, Lorraine Pitts, Nancy Post, Linda Powers, Mary Lou Shipley, David Terry, Jean Woods and Carol Young.
The pledge of allegiance was shared.
The minutes were provided by an e-mail to members.
The treasurer’s report was provided in an email to members and Lynda Begnaud summarized it. As of 2/21/2023, the bank balance in the PAC account is $1,138.20 Thank you and the balance in the scholarship account is $2,600.69.
Our guest speaker was the Rev. Damon Blakely, pastor of the Joshua Chapel AME Church in Waxahachie. He spoke in two issues. The first was the significance of Black History Month to provide access, opportunity and support for African- Americans. Secondly, he gave an excellent challenge to the gathered group. His final challenge was to remember that what matters is “not how you start but how you finish”. We are grateful for Rev. Blakely contribution to our meeting.
Vivian Gibson, the chair of the Scholarship Committee reported on the activity of the Scholarship committee which met on 1/27/202. Cadence Hopgood, who had previously received a scholarship, requested that half of her funds be transferred to SAGU where shew has transferred. Lynda Begnaud took care of doing that. The application will be the same as last year and will go to students of Maypearl and Palmer. The scholarship amount will be $800 each. Presentation of the scholarships will be at the graduation ceremony of both high schools.
The fundraising committee mentioned the need to start now to raise funds for good support of the 2024 election. Vivian Gibson reported that Adrian Cooper will run for the Waxahachie School Board on May 6.
This month’s refreshments were provided by Jerome and Lynda Begnaud and Rebeccas Cockerham has volunteered to provide refreshments for March. A sign-up sheet for following months to serve refreshments will be at the next meeting.
Mary Lou Shipley adjourned the meeting with the encouragement for all to remain and partake of King cake refreshments.
The next meeting will be at 6pm on Tuesday 3/21/2023 in person at Democratic HQ.
Minutes prepared by Helen Brock, Secretary of TDWEC