April 26, 2021 Virtual Meeting - So You Want to Run for Office with Royce Brooks & Lillie Schechter

Join TDWHarris for our April membership meeting where we will hear from Annie's List Executive Director Royce Brooks and Harris County Democratic Party Chair Lillie Schechter on the importance of electing more progressive Democratic women and advice for women who want to run for office.

Click Here: Zoom Link

Royce Brooks's Bio

Royce Brooks is the Executive Director of Annie’s List, a statewide organization dedicated to recruiting, training, supporting and electing progressive women across Texas. Since joining Annie’s List in 2018, she has transformed the organization to one led by women of color at every level of decision making, and has presided over Annie’s List’s most successful election cycle ever. Royce previously served as the first-ever Chief Equity Officer for the City of Atlanta, as policy director for Sylvester Turner’s successful 2015 campaign for Mayor of Houston, and as statewide policy director for Wendy Davis’s 2014 campaign for Texas governor. She has worked in both houses of Congress and as a policy analyst focusing on issues of concern to communities of color. A Fort Worth native, Royce lives in Austin, Texas.

Lillie Schechter's Bio

Lillie Schechter is a political strategist and fundraiser who has been advising local and national Democratic candidates and organizations for nearly a decade. Lillie has worked closely with the Democratic Party as the Harris County Democratic Party Chair since 2017 to help find, promote and elect the best candidates for Harris County and City of Houston positions.

A native Houstonian and 7th generation Texan, Lillie grew up steeped in the Democratic Party. When other kids were attending Little League games and ballet rehearsals, Lillie was campaigning. She attended the University of Texas where she received a B.A. in American Studies and a Masters in Public Leadership from the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

In 2009, Lillie launched her own business, Bayou City Strategies, which has grown to encompass all aspects of progressive politics: fundraising, campaign strategy, candidate training, and beyond. Lillie has had the fortune of working with some of the superstars of Texas and national Democratic politics, including Cecile Richards and Planned Parenthood, Wendy Davis, Leticia Van De Putte, and Hillary Clinton.

When she is not fighting for progressive causes and candidates, Lillie can be found strolling the bayou with her dog, Harlie; splashing around a pool with her fiance, Brian, and his three kids, Miles, Clara, and Ruby; watching cheesy romantic comedies from the nineties; and volunteering her professional skills to raise money for charities.

2021 “Women Making History” Award Honoring Harris County Women

The Texas Democratic Women of Harris County are honoring four (4) Harris County Women who have made outstanding contributions toward improving the Democratic way of life within the Harris County community. The TDWHarris Committee will review nomination entries and select the four (4) most outstanding nominees to receive the 2021 “Women Making History”. TDWHarris award will be during the month of August (due to COVID-19).

Click Here: 2021 “Women Making History” ONLINE FORM

May 24, 2021 Virtual Meeting - Asian Heritage Month Panel

On Monday, May 24, 2021, join TDWHarris for our May membership meeting where we will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a panel consisting of former judicial candidate Kathy Cheng, Harris County Civil District Court Judge Rabeea Collier, and HISD Trustee Anne Sung.

Zoom link: TBA

June 28, 2021 Virtual Meeting - Legislative Update: 87th Texas Legislature

On Monday, June 28, 2021, join TDWHarris for our June membership meeting with an update on the 87th Texas Legislature from members of the Texas House and Texas Senate.

Zoom link: TBA

Past Events

March 22, 2021 Virtual Meeting - Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Women's History Month

On Monday, March 22, 2021, please join TDWHarris for our March membership meeting as we welcome Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo in honor of Women's History Month. We are excited to hear Judge Hidalgo's story as the first woman elected as Harris County Judge and part of the next generation of history-makers in Houston/Harris County and Texas politics.

Click Here: Zoom Link

February 22, 2021 Virtual Meeting - Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth on Making History

On Monday, February 22, 2021, in honor of Black History Month, TDWHarris' February membership meeting will feature newly elected Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, who will speak to us about her journey to become the first black woman elected to this office.

Zoom link: TBA

January 25, 2021 Virtual Meeting - Perspectives: Texas Legislature

Join TDWHarris on Monday, January 25, 2021 for our first membership meeting of the new year and hear from newly elected Representative of Texas HD148, Penny Morales Shaw; former Representative Jessica Farrar, who served HD148 for 15 years; and Odus Evbagharu, Chief of Staff to Representative Jon Rosenthal of HD135. Learn about the Texas Legislature from the people who are a part of it.

We will also introduce the 2021 Executive Board and discuss our plans for this new year. Hope to see all of you there!

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86046709239?pwd=ZkMvM3VtTDF6TUFCKytDdE9vZ0V0UT09