February 2025
Featured Speaker
Mary Benton
WPG welcomes Mary Benton in February
Mary Benton will be the guest speaker for our February 2025 luncheon. She is the Director of Communications to the Mayor’s Office as well as a member of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Her office works to advance the priorities and accomplishments of Mayor John Whitmire’s Administration and promote transparent, timely, and accurate information to the media and public to help them better understand their municipal government.
Before joining the Mayor’s Office Ms. Benton worked for 20+ years as a TV news reporter, covering everything from hurricanes to city hall, political campaigns, and the Texas Legislature. With her experience in public policy, it was a natural transition for her to pursue a career in public service, encompassing communications and public affairs.
December 2024
Teneshia Hudspeth
December Community Spotlight
December Community Spotlight
Teneshia Hudspeth is the County Clerk and Chief Election Official of the third-largest county in the nation and the largest county in the State of Texas. Harris County has a population of more than 4.9 million. She is also the first African-American woman to serve in this role.
Clerk Hudspeth has been with the County Clerk’s Office for 19 years and has served in many roles under four County Clerks. In January 2020, she was appointed Chief Deputy, responsible for office operations, and in less than a year, she was elected Harris County Clerk.
Clerk Hudspeth earned her degree in Communications at Texas Southern University. She is also a graduate of Leadership Houston (Class XXXIV) and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. Clerk Hudspeth is currently President of the International Association of Government Officials, which represents the finest clerks, recorders, election officials, and treasurers around the globe. Her innate desire to serve the community through volunteer work and leadership positions has taught her that service to the community is not a chore but a way of life.
Office awards include the NACo Achievement Award, iGo Innovator Award, and the Five Star Vital Registration Award. Personal awards include 50 Most Influential Women of 2020-2021, She Said. She Led. She is. Initiative, Top 30 Most Influential Women, Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce Mickey Leland Public Service Award, and the 2022 Faces of Fortitude.
As County Clerk, her primary goal is to serve the public with integrity and provide quality customer service. As Chief Election Official, Clerk Hudspeth is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, efficiency, and accuracy and providing voters with the information, materials, and assistance they need to vote
December Community Spotlight
December Community Spotlight
December Community Spotlight
This month’s community spotlight falls on Be a Resource for Kids, better known as BEAR, a 501(c)(3) organization that works directly with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults.
Outreach coordinator Rebecca Moran will bring us up to date on some of the latest initiatives and volunteer opportunities at this organization that provides basic needs and supportive services for abused and neglected children.
October 2024
Nicole Pedersen
Monica Vallejo: A Heart for Service
Monica Vallejo is a passionate leader and the Community Outreach and Events Manager at AAMA, where she fosters connections that empower individuals and communities. Influenced by her mother, Maria Cristina Garza, Monica is committed to community engagement and was instrumental in the success of last yea
Monica Vallejo: A Heart for Service
Monica Vallejo is a passionate leader and the Community Outreach and Events Manager at AAMA, where she fosters connections that empower individuals and communities. Influenced by her mother, Maria Cristina Garza, Monica is committed to community engagement and was instrumental in the success of last year’s Illumine Gala.
As co-founder and president of The Cristina Project, a nonprofit dedicated to serving at-risk youth in Houston, she creates opportunities for volunteerism and provides scholarships to students. After losing her mother to ovarian cancer, Monica also leads initiatives like “Art for the Cure” to raise funds for those affected by the disease.
With a heart for service, Monica advocates for education and empowers individuals to create a brighter future, ensuring her mother’s legacy of compassion continues to thrive.
September 2024
Nicole Pedersen
Nicole Pedersen
Nicole Pedersen
Nicole Pedersen is the Voter Protection Director for the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP). She began working with HCDP's Voter Protection program in 2018 and played a key role in Mayor Turner's 2019 re-election campaign. Under her leadership, the program has grown significantly, supporting poll watchers, a legal advisory team, a vote
Nicole Pedersen is the Voter Protection Director for the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP). She began working with HCDP's Voter Protection program in 2018 and played a key role in Mayor Turner's 2019 re-election campaign. Under her leadership, the program has grown significantly, supporting poll watchers, a legal advisory team, a voter hotline, and additional training for election workers. Nicole holds a law degree from the University of Chicago and has a background in corporate litigation in New York City. She also manages an international trade compliance law practice.
Dallana Camargo
Nicole Pedersen
Nicole Pedersen
This month’s community spotlight speaker is Dallana Camargo, Program Officer of Voter Services of the League of Women Voters - Houston. The League is dedicated to fostering a thriving democracy by engaging all members of the community in the political process. Through nonpartisan information sharing, passionate civic engagement, and offe
This month’s community spotlight speaker is Dallana Camargo, Program Officer of Voter Services of the League of Women Voters - Houston. The League is dedicated to fostering a thriving democracy by engaging all members of the community in the political process. Through nonpartisan information sharing, passionate civic engagement, and offering opportunities for active participation, the League empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to the democratic process.
March 2025
Featured Speaker
Featured Speaker
Featured Speaker
Dr. Jill Zinckgraf
Dr. Jill Zinckgraf is the Executive Director of the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), a leading organization dedicated to promoting and preserving women’s history. With a background in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and advocacy, she has championed initiatives that amplify women's voices and historical contributions. Under her leadership, NWHA has expanded its digital presence, strengthened partnerships, and launched impactful educational campaigns. Dr. Zinckgraf is committed to ensuring that women’s history is integrated into mainstream narratives and recognized as essential to understanding our past and shaping our future. She frequently speaks on gender equity, historical preservation, and community engagement. Her work is driven by a passion for social justice, education, and the power of storytelling to inspire change.
Featured Speaker
Featured Speaker
Featured Speaker
Dr. Carla L. Wyatt
Dr. Carla L. Wyatt, County Treasurer
Honorable Dr. Carla L. Wyatt received her bachelor’s degree in Science, Master of Science in Biology, and Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology right here in Houston from Texas Southern University. Her extensive professional biography began at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality where she worked as an investigator in the air program for several years before being hired as the TreeScape Coordinator for The Park People, Trees for Houston, and Scenic Houston.
After leaving her position at TreeScape, Dr. Wyatt was hired as a Professional Development Trainee and Projects Coordinator by the Harris County Public Infrastructure Department. Over the next 20 years, she established herself as a dedicated public servant in several capacities within Harris County including working in the Harris County Budget Office, Harris County Universal Services, Harris County Constable Precinct 3, and stepping up to run emergency communications during Hurricane Harvey.
During that time, Dr. Wyatt cultivated her passion for community service by proudly serving numerous community-based organizations such as the Houston Art Foundation Board, Scenic Houston Board, Houston Spark Park School Park Program Board, and the Clean Houston Commission. A few of her non-professional affiliations are with the illustrious Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and Texas Southern University Alumni Association. Recently, Dr. Wyatt made history by becoming our newest Harris County Treasurer, making her the first African American elected to the position. As Treasurer, she strives to use the many relationships she built during the span of her career to serve the people of Harris County with the professional and responsible accountability we all deserve.
March 2025
March is briefly Women’s History Month, and we will be celebrating one another and inviting members to share briefly some inspiring stories about the women who’ve made an impression in their lives and careers…personal stories about heroes and mentors who don’t always get recognized in the mainstream. Let’s keep the momentum going from the stories that we heard in January from our life members and past presidents. We will also be hearing a brief presentation from the National Women’s History Alliance with a message surrounding the 2025 Women’s History month theme.
This month’s community spotlight highlights the mission of the Dr. CGK Foundation, a relatively new nonprofit and the unique dream of its founder Dr. Courtney Gatlin Keener to serve and assist single moms in earning a college degree.
As we kick off the spring season, we invite WPG members, friends and families to join us en masse at the 2025 Empowerment Challenge Houston on April 12, hosted by Autism Speaks. You can sign up for this Saturday morning ride, walk or run event below. Be one of the first to sign up and you could win a WPG T-shirt.