I recently had the privilege of interviewing Mary Ann Edwards, my fellow Lubbock Chapter member and previous National Board member. Deemed a “Lubbock Legend” in my book, when I arrived at her office last Friday, I was immediately greeted with a sweet hug.
As she walked me back to her conference table, our small talk centered around the rapidly increasing COVID-19 epidemic (now pandemic). In addition to owning her own business, Word Publications, Mary Ann is also an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University—one of the many universities who had just released a statement that campus would be closed for the remainder of the semester and all classes would be online.
As we took our seats at the table, Mary Ann closed that discussion with a smile and four simple, yet reassuring words that solidified her legendary status: “I just don’t panic.”
In a time when it is easy for panic to seep into our veins as the entire world is navigating through uncharted waters, sitting right across from me is a woman who with only a few short words, immediately eradicated any anxiety I had with her calm yet confident demeanor.
Regardless of the situation, Mary Ann oozes humility and strength in everything she does – she is the epitome of a true leader, which is why it was an absolute honor to shine a much-deserved spotlight on her during Women’s History Month.
It all began a little more than 30 years ago, when Mary Ann was invited to a WICI (now AWC) meeting in the mid-1980s by a colleague. At that time, the Lubbock chapter consisted of meetings with no more than 20 members. While small, they were a “dedicated, hard-workin’ bunch”—many of whom are still very active members to this day and also “Lubbock Legends” in my eyes. I’m talking to you, Diane Harlan, Sherry Saffle, Patti Douglass, and Beth Pratt!
This dedicated bunch saw the need for an event solely devoted to the recognition of people who made Lubbock a wonderful place to live, work and play. After attending a similar breakfast event hosted by the Fort Worth Chapter, longtime member Beth Pratt threw out an idea of a Celebrity Luncheon, and the largest fundraiser for the Lubbock chapter was born.
This year, 2020, AWC Lubbock will host the 36th annual Celebrity Luncheon! Mary Ann calls it a “labor of love.” In its 36-year history, the Celebrity Luncheon has solidified AWC Lubbock as one of the premier communication organizations in town. It is one of the most positive things for our chapter and the Lubbock community.
Although Mary Ann has had tremendous success on a local level, her reach extends far beyond West Texas. A few years after becoming a member of WICI, a fellow member encouraged her to take her “pioneering spirit” to the national board.
With the support of her husband, who Mary Ann literally calls the “wind beneath my wings,” Mary Ann soared to new heights and contributed not only to the Lubbock chapter, but the national board as well.
Mary Ann believes that when you have a nucleus of selfless women who recognize the power they have – anything can be accomplished when we rise together. During this conversation, Mary Ann recited the following quote by Margaret Mead,
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
It is this servant leadership mentality that has catapulted the Lubbock Chapter to 98 members and 50 student members in the Texas Tech University Student Chapter. Mary Ann is currently their Student Chapter Campus Advisor and is so proud of them, as well as the younger members in our chapter.
“The students and younger members haven’t just taken a position, they’ve take possession of leadership roles . . . it is so neat to see. It’s more than a social thing; it’s an academic thing.”
– Mary Ann Edwards
Mary Ann credits the rapid growth of the student chapter to the 2017 National Conference in Dallas, Texas.
“We were able to take four students. That was the spark that got the group realizing that it’s not just us at Texas Tech – it’s a bigger picture.”
– Mary Ann Edwards
When asked what her hope for the future of AWC is, Mary Ann said:
“My hope is that it keeps its base and grows its strength. Being at the forefront of the evolving communications era, I think we’re still evolving, and I think we can do that. I want our members to be able to look to AWC as a source for that information. We have everything from a fax machine to cell phones, but it all works together. You can’t have just one or the other, you have to have it all. The wisdom of the older generation, and the energy and enthusiasm of the younger generation can make the best for success. We need to learn from each other because if we don’t, it’s going to be lost, and we can’t lose the history. There are so many things that all generations can work together on, not against each other. Seeing the melding of all of the generations, I feel very lucky. I’ve seen the evolution, and it’s amazing – that’s how we need to be as people. We need to remember our past to give us the direction of where we are going to go.”
The Association of Women in Communications wouldn’t be what it is today without women like Mary Ann Edwards. Women who possess a pioneering spirit and just don’t panic in the face of uncertainty, but rather, face it head on with humility, poise and determination.
About the Author
Yvonne is a Marketing Director for Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. As a Director on the National Board for the Association for Women in Communications, she currently serves as the Chair for the Marketing Communications Committee. A native of Lubbock, Texas and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Lubbock Christian University, Yvonne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with an emphasis in Visual Communications. Specializing in digital media, graphic design, and brand awareness, her passion is bringing stories to life and building relationships. Outside of work, Yvonne serves on the Board for the Volunteer Center of Lubbock and the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts.
