Estimated reading time: 10 minute(s)
Originally published 10.24.09
On October 23, rolling out and and Comerica Bank hosted the Female Success Factor’s 2009 Top 25 Women of Houston awards dinner at the Downtown Aquarium.
“The Female Success Factor’s Top 25 Women of Houston illustrate the best examples of visionaries and business titans who have found their passion and become dedicated examples of success in action,†said Munson Steed, publisher of rolling out.
Linnethia “NeNe” Leakes, from “The Real Housewives of Atlantaâ€, served as the keynote speaker. Leakes is the founder of Twisted Hearts, a charity that brings awareness to the plight of domestic violence against women of all races.
Leakes briefly shared her experiences as a victim of domestic abuse and her mission in offering her voice and support to those in need of help. She has also authored the book Never Make the Same Mistake Twice, a memoir discussing her fractured childhood, abusive relationship, struggles with being a single mother, landing Mr. Right, and all the lessons she’s learned along the way.
The 2009 Top 25 Women of Houston Honorees were as follow:
Carol Mims Galloway – Board Secretary, Houston Independent School District;
Judy Foston – CEO and Founder, Foston International Inc.;
Dr. Letitia Plummer –Owner and Dentist, Maxwello Dental Spa and Wellness;
Judge Hilary Green – Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7 Place 1;
Margo Williams Handy – Principal, MWH Public Relations;
Deidre Boone – Vice-President, Ready Women and Co-Owner, The Root of You Salon and Day Spa;
ReShonda Tate Billingsley – National Best-Selling Author and Motivational Speaker;
Lora L. Mayes, R.N. – CEO, Beacon Home Health Agency, LLC;
Wanda Adams – Houston City Councilmember, District D;
Denise Bentham – Owner Operator, McDonald’s;
Donna Mittendorf – Senior Vice President, Comerica Bank.;
Roslyn “Rozzy†Shorter – Co-Chair, Houston CARES Mentoring Movement;
Helen Stagg – Senior Director, Families Under Urban and Social Attack (FUUSA);
Merele Yarborough – Community Advocate and Philanthropist;
Damali A. Keith – Anchor/Reporter, Fox 26;
Debra Johnson– Director, Office of Procurement, Johnson Space Center;
Barbara Joseph– Founder and Executive Director, Positive Efforts, Inc.;
Dr. Reagan Flowers – Founder and CEO, C STEM;
Irma Diaz-Gonzalez – President, Employment & Training Ctrs & Chair-Elect, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;
Sharwin Wiltz Boney – Vice-President/CFO, BoneFide Development and Investment Group;
Sheretta West – First Lady, Church Without Walls;
Thomasine Johnson – CEO, En’Terior Designs;
Jacquelyn Hoyer– Sr. Community Affairs Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch;
Nina Wilson Jones – Vice-President/Chief Programs Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters;
Phyllis J. Bailey – President, 3B Resources Group Public Relations & Associate Publisher, Who’s Who In Black Houston;
Spirit of Business Award Winner, Kim Roxie – Creative Director, LAMIK Beauty









