11-03-2025
Five women of influence honored by Zonta Club
Five women making a difference in Johnson County were honored Friday during the Zonta Club of Johnson County's annual Women of Influence luncheon.
'We are here to recognize the remarkable Johnson County women who are making a difference in our community,' Zonta President Brooke Vaughn said. 'Every contribution made today will have a lasting impact on women and girls, locally and internationally.'
All the women chosen were hand selected by the Zontians, Vaughn said.
'Since 1981, the Zonta Club of Johnson County has played an active role in Cleburne, Burleson and the surrounding areas by advocating for the empowerment of women and girls,' Zontian Barbara Yoder said. 'We find joy in doing this in a supportive community of like-minded organizations and individuals.'
Young Woman Making A Difference
At 19 years old, Damaris Rodriguez was the youngest honoree. The mother of a 15-month-old serves as vice president of Apos Floors, Apos Western Wear, Apos Boot Outlet, Apos Ranch and Outdoors and Apos Waste.
Rodriguez volunteers with the Johnson County Food Bank and is a member of the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
'She says that an adversity that she's overcome is being such a young mom, and that she has used that to kind of encourage other young moms to keep going and not give up and keep pushing,' Vaughn said. 'And she wants to create an impact as a young Spanish woman.'
Rodriguez credited the people in her life for helping her get where she is today.
'One thing I would like for all of y'all is to be a part of your community,' she said. 'Lead your children to be a part of the community. Force them to do it. They're not gonna like it at first, but just keep going.'
Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit
Victoria Rodriguez is program manager at Soldiers Point Texas, which provides transitional housing to at-risk homeless veterans.
As a daughter to a Vietnam War veteran, Rodriguez said she knows exactly how much help is needed for those who fought for our country.
'His struggles and lack of resources after returning home greatly impacted our family,' she said. 'For this reason I am driven in helping veterans and actively participate in finding the right resources to help them cope and succeed after bravely serving our country.
With a heart for ministry, she is also an ordained minister and marriage officiant. She partners with New Opportunity Ministry to feed the elderly and homeless in Johnson County.
'Our veterans need help, every single one of them, and whether they're at risk of becoming homeless or homeless, we're going to be there to pick them up because they fought for our country,' she said. 'Every one of them deserves to be honored, and so that's where I'm at now.'
Woman of Educational Excellence
A 23-year veteran teacher, Dawn Broadway said her biggest award has been the love of her students.
'Giving confidence to those without confidence is a good way to overcome adversity,' she said.
She teaches math at Cleburne High School and has served as the CHS Key Club sponsor for 10 years. She is also a member of the Cleburne Kiwanis Club and is involved with Delta Kappa Gamma, who awarded her the Chapter Excellence Award.
In addition to being a breast cancer survivor, Broadway runs a gardening YouTube channel to share her love of plants.
Woman-owned business
Heather Friermood, owner of Heather's in Rio Vista, was unable to attend the luncheon.
A mother of two boys, Friermood is often hosting community fundraisers for people in need. Right now the restaurant is selling shamrock lotus and is donating portions of those sales to support the family of Wyatt Killough as the young child is battling brain cancer.
'Anybody who talks about Heather will say she's such a big thing,' Vaughn said. 'She has a heart for the community. She's always doing things like this to give back to her community and making sure that she can play her part and supporting everybody.'
Community leader/volunteer
The oldest — and perhaps most involved — honoree was 80-year-old Willie Baldwin, who has a passion for volunteer work.
You will often find Baldwin volunteering at the East Cleburne Community Center, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne or her church.
She calls bingo for seniors on Tuesdays and helps with monthly food distribution in the community.
Baldwin doesn't think that adversity belongs in volunteering and she is known by all for her positive attitude.
The mother of two has 15 Godchildren and loves being involved in their lives, schools and recreational activities.
The Zonta Club meets at noon every third Wednesday at Edward Jones, 124 S. Ridgeway Drive in Cleburne.
