News & Press https://leadership-women.org/news/default.asp Sun, 14 Jun 2026 04:49:49 GMT Mon, 11 May 2026 15:08:00 GMT Copyright © 2026 Leadership Women Remembering Dale Simons, LW Board Member and Alumna https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=726964 https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=726964 Helen “Dale” Simons, 81, of Driftwood, Texas, passed away on April 29, 2026. Born in Bay City, Texas, Dale was a lifelong leader, philanthropist, and advocate for community service.

Raised in Bay City, she was crowned Queen of the Rice Festival in 1965 and later earned an associate degree from Columbia College in Missouri, where she served as Student Body President and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin as a political science major, earning certificates in Fundraising and Nonprofit Management.

Dale built a distinguished career in the nonprofit sector, serving as CEO of several organizations, including The Volunteer Center of Longview, the Regional Community Foundation, and the East Texas Treatment Center. She served on the boards of more than 30 nonprofit organizations at the local, national, and international levels. She was the founder and president of the Elizabeth Simons Award, established in 1997, and the managing partner of H. Neary Ventures, Ltd.

A dedicated leader within Leadership Women, Dale was a former member of the Leadership Women Board of Directors, a 1993 graduate of Leadership Texas, and a 2012 graduate of Leadership America.

Known for her warmth, generosity, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Dale was deeply committed to her family and community. She believed strongly in legacy, inclusion, and service, and she lived those values daily.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Helen Elizabeth Simons. Dale is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. James K. Simons; her sons, Dr. Bryan C. Simons and John S. Simons; daughter-in-law Elaine Simons; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Dale Simons will be remembered for her leadership, her compassion, and the lasting impact she made through a lifetime of service.

Full obituary listed on Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

]]> Mon, 11 May 2026 16:08:00 GMT The Pride of Abilene: Billye Proctor Shaw https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=725030 https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=725030 Leadership Women honors the life and legacy of Billye Proctor Shaw, a distinguished alumna of Leadership Texas (Class of 1987) and Leadership America (Class of 1997), who passed away on April 6, 2026, at the age of 91.

A lifelong champion of civic engagement and service, Billye dedicated decades to strengthening Abilene and communities across Texas. Born in Houston in 1934, she became an Abilenian by choice—investing her time, talent, and leadership in business, government, the arts, education, health care, and countless nonprofit causes. She served on the Abilene City Council and numerous boards, including the Texas Commission on the Arts, Leadership Texas, and the Texas Historical Foundation, and helped found organizations such as Frontier Texas! and the Cancer Services Network.

Billye’s leadership was matched by her generosity of spirit. She was widely recognized for her impact, earning honors such as Outstanding Citizen of the Year from the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and Distinguished Woman of Texas from the Leadership Texas Alumnae Association.

Above all, Billye cherished her family and friends. Known for her warmth, hospitality, and unmistakable style, she believed her greatest accomplishment was her family—four children, twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren—whom she celebrated with joy and devotion.

Billye Proctor Shaw leaves a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and community-building. Her influence will continue through the lives she touched and the institutions she strengthened, reflecting the very best ideals of Leadership Texas and Leadership America.

Billye Proctor Shaw Obituary April 6, 2026 - The Hamil Family Funeral Home

Billye Proctor Shaw, civic leader, dies at 91

]]> Wed, 8 Apr 2026 17:56:00 GMT Remembering Lorene Lacer: A Life of Leadership and Service https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=724449 https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=724449 Leadership Women mourns the passing of Lorene Lacer, a proud graduate of Leadership Texas Class of 1984, who died March 15, 2026, in Amarillo at the age of 95.

Born in Wewoka, Oklahoma, Lorene was a lifelong learner and leader, graduating as valedictorian of her high school class before continuing her education at Amarillo College. She devoted forty years of service to Southwestern Public Service, retiring in 1992 as Corporate Assistant Secretary and Manager of the Investor Relations Department.

Lorene’s commitment to community life was extraordinary. A charter member of Paramount Baptist Church, she served faithfully in numerous ministries and on the church’s 40th Anniversary Committee. Her civic leadership spanned many cultural and philanthropic organizations in Amarillo, including her service as President of the Executive Board of Directors for the Lone Star Ballet. Her contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Girl Scouts’ Woman of Distinction Award and recognition as an Amarillo Globe-News Headliner.

Despite her many accomplishments, Lorene was known for her humility, grace, and generosity of spirit. She will be remembered as a devoted leader, mentor, and friend whose legacy of service reflects the very values of Leadership Texas.

Lorene Lacer Obituary March 15, 2026 - Schooler Funeral Home, Inc.

]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:07:00 GMT Penny Beaumont: A Lasting Legacy Within Leadership Women https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=724445 https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=724445

Leadership Women mourns the passing of Jean Prentice Beaumont (neé Naughton), known to all as Penny, a respected graduate of Leadership Texas (Class of 1988) and Leadership America (Class of 1990), former LW Board member and Board Emerita. Penny passed away on March 9, 2026, in Bryan, Texas, surrounded by family and friends.

Penny lived a life defined by deep love for her family, a profound commitment to public service, and unwavering dedication to women’s leadership. During a distinguished 26-year career with The Texas A&M University System, she broke barriers as the System’s first woman Vice Chancellor and later served in senior leadership roles within engineering, policy, and government relations. Her influence extended to both the Texas Legislature and the federal level, where she shaped policy with skill, grace, and strategic insight.

Penny was the first woman employed at Texas A&M to participate in Leadership Texas and Leadership America and went on to serve the Foundation for Women’s Resources (now Leadership Women) for 12 years on its board, including five years as president. She served as Leadership Women Board Chair during Leadership Texas’s 30th anniversary year, a milestone moment in the organization’s history. In recognition of her extraordinary service, she received the prestigious “Cathy” Award during that anniversary year.

Her enduring legacy is rooted in community leadership and advocacy for children, particularly foster youth, through decades of board service, volunteerism, and statewide impact.

Leadership Women honors Penny Beaumont’s remarkable life of leadership and service and extends heartfelt condolences to her family and all who were touched by her legacy.

Penny Beaumont Obituary March 10, 2026 - Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory

 
 
]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:59:00 GMT Honoring a Remarkable Leader - Carolyn Schmies, LT'09, LA'16 https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=724443 https://leadership-women.org/news/news.asp?id=724443 Leadership Women is grateful for the opportunity to honor the life of a remarkable woman and leader, Carolyn Schmies. As a graduate of Leadership Texas 2009 and Leadership America 2016, we had the honor of truly knowing Carolyn, and we are forever grateful for that privilege.

As those who knew Carolyn, she was the kind of person who never accepted the word “no,” not out of stubbornness, but out of unwavering belief—belief that something could be done, that change was possible, and that people were worth the effort. When others saw obstacles, Carolyn saw opportunity. When others hesitated, she stepped forward.

She was tireless in her dedication to this community, to her college, and especially to the women of Laredo. As the Leadership Women Ambassador for Laredo, Carolyn worked relentlessly to elevate women, to open doors, and to walk beside them as they discovered their own leadership potential. She believed deeply in lifting others up—and she made it her mission to do just that.

Carolyn also played a vital role in supporting Leadership Texas sessions in Laredo, ensuring that the city she loved was well represented, well prepared, and well served. Her impact reached far beyond programs and titles; it lived in the confidence she inspired, the connections she nurtured, and the futures she helped shape.

But beyond her accomplishments, Carolyn will be remembered for how she led. She led with compassion. She led with generosity. She led with love and friendship. She had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and capable—often before they believed it themselves.

Carolyn’s legacy is not just in what she did, but in who she empowered others to become. Her spirit lives on in every woman she encouraged, every leader she supported, and every life she touched.

She showed us that leadership is not about position—it is about heart. And Carolyn had one of the biggest hearts of all.

Carolyn Schmies Obituary (1948 - 2025) - Laredo, TX - Laredo Morning Times

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