Three talented student writers, remarkable area women and women important in Texas history were honored on March 9 at the Casino Hall in La Grange.
Billed as 'Women Making History,' the event was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of South Central Texas, with financial support from local businesses and individuals, and drew over a hundred attendees.
Student winners, who received $500 cash awards, read their essays about women who made significant contributions to local or regional history. (1) Amalia 'Molly' Rorschach, of Schulenburg, wrote her essay about Rozine Tilicek, founder of Frank's Restaurant, which from 1927 to 2017 was a prominent business in Schulenburg. (2) Gabriel Dodson of Hallettsville wrote about Margaret Hallett, the Texas pioneer and businesswoman who gave land to found the town of Hallettsville. (3) Mariel Arredondo of Yoakum wrote about Jovita Idar, Mexican- American journalist, human rights activist, and suffragist leader in South Texas.
Some of the Women Making History honorees, who received commemorative plates, included:
Determination: Brenda Lincke Fisseler of Hallettsville is a 40-year librarian with a passion for history and a doggedness for the preservation of historical records that led her to spearhead the years-long process of rescuing precious Lavaca County documents from inadequate or even precarious storage conditions. She and her 'Press Gang' volunteers not only recovered, cleaned, and indexed documents from a railroad boxcar in a rural pasture but assured the return to Lavaca County's newly established Archives from storage in a neighboring county the historic records of the area's early rural schools. Brenda and the Press Gang have met at least monthly for twenty years to preserve and archive countless Lavaca County documents.
Heroism: Angela Lala is a long-serving law enforcement officer whose career choice in a male-dominated field did not hold her back from promotion and achievement. Her investigative skills, patience, and concern for victims brought her colleagues' deep respect and her superior's recognition, so she now serves as Chief Investigator for the Fayette County Sheriff's Department and chairs its Memorial and Benevolent Society to assist families of officers harmed in the line of duty or when families suffer other loss. Her care for co-workers and victims alike is truly her hallmark.
Initiative: Teresa Stanley Brown 'retired' to the La Grange area after a marketing and corporate recruiting career. Once she saw the challenges facing the area's animal shelter, she found a new passion: 'Something had to be done!' Named its Executive Director in 2020, Brown has transformed shelter operations, increasing staffing from four to 11 employees, developing a volunteer staff of 75, and making it a national player in animal adoption, thereby leading to its 97% live adoption status, saving thousands of animals yearly.
Courage: Maria Vega ofSchulenburg,working wife and mother, runs a restaurant, but her passion also includes using her multilingual skills to assist others. From working election polls to providing translation help for medical patients or those in the criminal justice system, Vega assists people of various ethnic and income backgrounds to build communication bridges, thereby building community. Her courage in speaking out and speaking up has made a difference in the lives of countless residents of this area.
Vision: Karey Patterson Bresenhan was recognized for her lifetime dedication to assuring quiltmaking would receive its rightful standing in the world of art. As a quilt-maker and owner of a huge quilt-makers' supply shop, Karey was determined to assure greater recognition for this largely women's socalled 'craftwork' that produces genuine art. She founded the annual International Quilt Festival in Houston and then the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, celebrating its 15th anniversary next year.
The League of Women Voters is one of America's most trusted grassroots organizations. With over 700 chapters nationwide, the League works toward a vision where every person has the desire, right, knowledge, and confidence to participate in our democracy. Since its founding in 1920, it has maintained its nonpartisan commitment—never supporting or opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government.
