Fifteen years of impact means fifteen years of developing women as savvy, effective philanthropists! As part of our anniversary celebration, we are excited to introduce you to some more new members. We asked them three basic questions – How did you find out about Impact Austin and what inspired you to join, what is your short and sweet biography, and what do you think might surprise or interest your new friends about you? Here are their answers!
Meet Ann Bawden Derrick, and say, “Hello!” the next time you see her.
“I discovered Impact Austin by overhearing a conversation about it at a social gathering some time ago and just recently, it popped up on my Facebook page. I am at a point in my life where I need something fulfilling, fun and productive; not just for me but for others. I’m looking forward to making lots of new friends!"
“I was raised in Caracas, Venezuela and lived there from age 5 to 17, with every other summer spent in the US visiting family and vacationing. I went to an American high school called “Alice Hayes Academy,” which was in a big old house in a residential part of the city, not far from home. There were kids from all over the world there, as many of their parents were involved in the oil industry. I had a mad crush on a Pakistani boy from Karachi named Hamid. It was quite an experience!"
“Part of my career took me to California, where I worked at the renown Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). I have been using workstations and other kinds of personal computing devices since they were invented, and the Research Center was at the epicenter of all that was being done in that field. The original workstation that sat on my desk (with a HUGE boxy processor next to it) is now in the Smithsonian Museum! The graphical user interfaces that everyone is so familiar with now (icons and windows) were originally produced at PARC (until Steve Jobs got a hold of them after a visit there...)"
Meet Simone Talma Flowers, and say “Hi!” the next time you see her.
“I am in the field of social services, so I have known about Impact Austin for many years. I have always been amazed at the thoughtfulness of the questions asked by the grant review teams, that allow you to dig deeper to examine your organization. This year my organization, Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) became a Community Partner of Impact Austin. I was impressed with the grant process and all the remarkable women I met along the way and wanted to be involved in this great movement. I joined Impact Austin this year, to be a part of an organization that affects great positive change.”
“I am the eternal optimist and I live a life that embraces and includes everyone, no exceptions.”
“I am in the peacebuilding business. I believe we all hold special gifts to share and it is illuminated when we acknowledge our existence depends on each other - by being, valuing, interacting, and especially by looking into each other’s eyes and letting people know how appreciated they are.”
Meet Karen Jeffries, and say, “Hello!” the next time you see her.
“A friend told me about being a member of this organization a few years ago. The idea of what Impact Austin represents always interested me and I’m glad to finally be a part of this wonderful group of women.”
“Volunteering and giving back have always been important to my family, and when my kids left home they continued to volunteer. As a critical care nurse and an education specialist, I’ve been blessed to be able to help nurses learn and patients heal. Also, volunteering on nursing organization boards and coordinating education and events is something that has been a fun adventure.”
New Member Highlights are a series of posts that introduce you to some of our new members who have joined for FY2018. If you are interested in being highlighted, please contact us and your Impact Austin blog editor will respond to you with the details!
Send your email to contact@impactaustin.org and be sure to indicate that it is a New Member Highlight Inquiry.
