Missouri City Houston Metro Chapter, NWOA Inc.

In 1984, Achiever Betty Hollins, the Regional Director, harnessed the power of eighteen innovative women who had achieved in various fields of endeavor in order to form another chapter of National Women of Achievement, Incorporated. The Missouri City/Houston Metro Chapter was chartered November 29, 1984 with Alma Allen, Gwendolyn Brinkley, Ester Brown, Rayola Cartwright, Gladys Edwards, Sylvia Fitch, Wergenia Greggs, Alice Griffin, Helen Hayes, Emma K. Hill, Minda Holliday, Dorothy LaBostrie, Mildred Matthews, Helen Oliver, Jeanie Rogers, Kay Rosebure, Annie Lee Smith and Janice Walker as the charter members.

Each leadership team of the Missouri City - Houston Metro Chapter led by very capable chapter presidents have worked assiduously to carry out the founding mission of National Women of Achievement, Incorporated, to help youth and adults achieve. Achiever Minda Holliday, the first president, led the chapter in laying its programmatic and organization foundation with Achiever Ester Brown chairing the presentation ball where the Missouri City/Houston Metro Chapter was introduced to the Houston community. During the tenure of the second president, Achiever Annie Lee Smith, the chapter membership doubled, a directory was compiled, a handbook was formulated and the idea of honoring Achievers was initiated. The third president, Achiever Alma Allen, initiated the honoring of grandmothers and the Status of Women Observance. Under the leadership baton of Achiever Darlene Ruffin, the fourth president, the Missouri City-Houston Metro Chapter organized chapters of the Youth Achievers, Collegiate Achievers and Male Achievers, as it focused on enhancing the mission of the Founder by supporting women in politics, education, health and business.  Achiever Ruffin challenged other chapters to grow as the MCHM chapter had the largest number of Achievers in the region, under her leadership.  With this growth came great implementation of the youth programs, profiles of prominence and community service. Her work in her chapter, and region lead to her becoming the Sixth National President.  Achiever Mildred T. Woodson, the fifth president, continued to build on the work done by previous administrations and organized the Junior Achievers Chapter. Achiever Rebecca Taylor Porter, the sixth president, focused on committee work to extend the programmatic boundaries of the senior citizens program, to increase chapter and auxiliary memberships as well as to focus on community outreach projects. Achiever Helen Handy Hayes, the seventh president, focused on teamwork and led the chapter in hosting the 2007 CON-WOA as well as in continuing to be a steady agent of change in the Houston community. Achiever Bobbie Wooten Moorehead, the eighth chapter president, set forth a program consisting of six goals with a focus on Achievers working together to enhance the organizational and programmatic boundaries of National Women of Achievement. Achiever Consuella Broussard was the ninth chapter president. Achiever Sylvia Fitch was the tenth chapter president and Achiever Mildred T. Woodson Williams served as the eleventh chapter president.  Achiever Williams was determined to have an informed chapter. Not only in NWOA news but in community, city, county, state, national, and world news/concerns. This effort was severely hampered by the world-wide pandemic of COVID-19.

Since its inception, the Missouri City-Houston Metro Chapter via its cooperative efforts and leadership has given much support to the National and Regional levels of NWOA. Achiever Annie Lee Smith served as the South Central Regional Director from 1989 until 1991 when she became the National President to serve until 1995. Achiever Mildred Woodson Williams was the South Central Regional Director from 2001 until 2005. Achiever Rebecca Taylor Porter was elected National President in 2007 at the Thirty-Second Anniversary CON-WOA. Many Achievers from the chapter have been elected and appointed to serve as officers, chairs and special assistants on the National and Regional levels. The chapter has received numerous awards at national and regional NWOA meetings for its involvement in service to youth, women, senior citizens and the community.

From the eighteen charter members of the Missouri City/Houston Metro Chapter, the Chapter has evolved into an NWOA entity comprised of many women who use their time, resources, skills and talents to make the vision of Founder Maudest Walls Stewart and the seven National Founding Charter Members a continuing reality as well as to move National Women of Achievement, Incorporated to newer and greater heights as an agent of service and positive change.