The Morning Blend
Welcome
Complete Media Kit
Herald/Review
Women have always played a major role in Cochise County’s past, in its present day issues and in helping to shape its future.
Four of those individuals will be honored for the part they have played in the community.
At its annual social event at the Pueblo del Sol Country Club on Tuesday, the Women In Business committee of the Greater Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize Helen Vance, Dorothy Tompkins, Elaine Carlson and Connie Johnson.
|
|
“These remarkable woman have actively pursued a better life, not only for their families, but for the benefit of our entire community,” said Chamber president and CEO Susan Tegmeyer. “Their compassionate actions and leadership and mentoring skills have had positive and lasting effects. The Women In Business committee is taking this opportunity to acknowledge the countless women who have worked diligently in our community for the past 50 years pursuing positive change.”
Helen Vance
Vance arrived in Sierra Vista in 1959 with her husband C. Reed, who was taking up a post as a patrolman.
With little in the way of community facilities — the city had incorporated just three years earlier — Vance decided to get stuck in and volunteer wherever and whenever she could.
In 1960 she joined the Sierra Vista Women’s Club, to which she still belongs today.
She has also been involved with the Forgach House Domestic Crisis Center for many years, is a long time member of St. Andrew The Apostle Roman Catholic Church, the Arts and Humanities Commission and is a former president of the Village Meadows School Parent Teacher Association.
Vance, whose husband became Chief of Police in 1962, is one of only two people from Sierra Vista to have received the prestigious Hon Kachina state volunteer award.
She was also a member of the 50th anniversary task force, which organized the birthday celebrations in May.
Dorothy Tompkins
Born and raised in Burgaw, N.C., Tompkins was one of the original members of the Friends of the Library (Sierra Vista Public Library) and a co-founder of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
The three time cancer survivor is an original organizer of the Widowed Support Center, Fort Huachuca, and a former board member and current volunteer with Forgach House.
Tompkins is a former instructor in African American History at Cochise College and retired as chief, library division, Fort Huachuca, in 1988 after 20 years. Her time at the fort also included an eight month stint as the Army Intelligence Museum curator.
She is currently active in water aerobics, the Democratic Club, church and community work, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the American Association of Retired People, the Gold Star Wives and the Greater Antioch Baptist Church.
Elaine Carlson
Carlson is currently the assistant principal of Buena High School, where she says she enjoys helping teenagers succeed, as well as aiding and encouraging classroom teachers.
This led to her teaching at the University of Phoenix in the Masters of Education program, where she helps future teachers prepare for their careers. She also teaches for Western International University at Fort Huachuca in the behavioral health area.
As a pastor’s wife, Carlson plays piano, sings and teaches Sunday School.
Maudelynn
‘Connie’ Johnson
Johnson is a fourth grade classroom teacher at Myer Elementary School, Fort Huachuca, which she joined in 1969.
During that time she has been actively involved in many school, district and state related activities and committees.
Johnson has served as FHEA president, PTO executive board member, a member of the school interview committee, Tabs committee chairman, member of the quality education committee, restructuring committee and child study team.
The grandmother has also been a member of the Sierra Vista school board for 25 years and served as president for four years.
Herald/Review reporter Amanda Baillie can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at amanda.baillie@svherald.com.
shuni wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:11 AM: