International Women's Day:16 COSA women celebrated for their achievements

Details: Written by Jim Sanchez; Category: News; Published: 13 March 2019

Flaco Guapo Media/ Theresa James, COSA Attorney, contributor
Photos courtesy of City Videographer, Brian Groves

SAN ANGELO – International Women's Day's theme for this year #BalanceforBetter, celebrated its' 108th anniversary on Friday, March 8, 2019. The 2019 initiative is aimed at gender equality, a greater awareness of discrimination and a celebration of women's achievements, according to the International Women's Day website. Internationally, purple is the color for symbolizing women.

Locally, I could not let International Women's Day pass without acknowledging the following 16 women celebrated for their contributions to COSA. These women are intelligent, fierce and compassionate. They have hard jobs, many of which are more often than not filled in many places by men.

I have never worked with so many women on the San Angelo City Council or that lead various departments within the City of San Angelo. William Ross Wallace, (1819-1881) wrote a poem called, "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Rules the World". Not only do these ladies "rule the world", they help build it, starting with our City Mayor, Brenda Gunter, Councilwoman, member District 4, Lucy Gonzales and Council member District 6, Billie Dewitt.

The other IWD members to be celebrated are: Allison Strube who manages our water utility. Julia Antillery is our City Clerk. Sandra Villarreal runs the City Health Department. Tina Dierschke is our Finance Director and Candice Blake is our purchasing manager. Charlie Kemp is the building official and Cindy Smith Preas, is the real estate manager.

Cristina Eureste runs the WIC program and Petra Treviño makes sure the utility customers get good service. Morgan Chegwidden manages the animal shelter and assists with all of the functions of neighborhood services. Shannon McMillan protects our stormwater quality and Kimberly Holle manages the budget. And of course I, Theresa James, am the City attorney. We are the women of the City of San Angelo. We build cities, go home and "rule the [our] world."

"The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Rules the World" by William Ross Wallace

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world."

To read the entire poem, go to: http://holyjoe.org/poetry/wallace.htm

Brenda Gunter