TDWCC 1st annual dinner a success!

As grassroots as the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC) is, with their large membership of active women who roll up their sleeves and volunteer to effect change at every opportunity, the organization is very aware of the importance of also having the necessary funds to fulfill their mission to Educate, Activate and Elect. This past Saturday, October 20th, they hosted the TDWCC 1st Annual Dinner: Countdown to Change and received an outstanding response from Democrats throughout Collin County and beyond.

With 100 people in attendance and an additional 26 people giving money in support of the event, including notable Hosts Fred Baron, Lisa Blue, Craig Hall and Hon. Kathryn Hall, the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County raised more than $11,000 for their organization. In her speech, McKinney Councilwoman Gilda Garcia Garza said, “Look at this event. It is a 1st annual dinner. How many 1st annual dinners have you been to with such a big crowd, such unique and valuable silent auction items, such an amazing keynote speaker, and pictures with a live donkey?”

The pictures with the Democratic donkey were certainly a big hit, but most agreed the highlight of the evening was the speech given by the Keynote Speaker, Mary Mapes. As the news producer who won a Peabody Award for her story on the Abu Ghraib prison tortures and who broke the Bush National Guard story, Mary delivered an eloquent speech about the importance of a free press that is not controlled by a small number of corporations and is able to report important stories without fear of reprisal. Moved by her speech and call to action, TDWCC’s November monthly meeting will be dedicated to this issue.

Women and men interested in attending the next TDWCC meeting or getting involved in the organization’s activities can learn more at www.tdwcc.org.

Mary Mapes speaking at TDWCC dinner on Oct. 20th

Dallas resident Mary Mapes has devoted her distinguished career to finding and reporting the truth. Especially during the Bush Administration, uncovering the truth has often been a daunting task. In addition to the Bush National Guard story, Mapes broke the Abu Ghraib prison torture story, for which she won a Peabody Award.

As an award-winning journalist and news producer for 25 years, the last 15 of them for The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and 60 Minutes II, Mapes has kept digging in order to accurately report the important stories we need to hear. She has waded through blacked out memos, interviewed countless witnesses afraid to speak out, and visited dangerous war-torn countries. America, and particularly Democrats, owe her many thanks for her service and determination!

Mary Mapes will be the keynote speaker at the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County 1st Annual Dinner: Countdown to Change on October 20th at 6:30 p.m. at Southfork Ranch. This event is open to the public. It will be a sit-down dinner. The silent auction will include a signed copy of Mary Mapes’ book, My Life personally addressed to a winning bidder and signed by President Clinton, a framed hand-written note from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and much more! There will even be pictures with a live Democrat donkey.

For more information, to RSVP, or to make a donation in support of this event, visit http://www.tdwcc.org/SpecialEvent.html.