Brenda Mickley of Temple has it all - and a new accolade to add to her list of accomplishments.
She’s the 2009 Business Woman of the Year for the local Bell Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association.
“I’m quite honored,” she said.
She was presented with a lapel pin and certificate of honor, and as Business Woman of the Year, she’ll be attending ABWA’s national conference this September in Kansas City, Mo.
“There’ll be a luncheon banquet in honor of all the women in the country who received this honor,” Ms. Mickley said. “Your name gets said out loud, and you get to stand up and wave.”
She knows what to expect because she’s been the Bell Chapter’s Business Woman of the Year before, in 1990 and again in 1999.
“I guess it’s because I’ve been in the club so long,” Ms. Mickley said, smiling. “I’ve been going to ABWA meetings for 23 years.”
The Woman of the Year honor comes by way of peer nomination and vote.
This year, she was nominated by Amanda Krcha, the 2008-09 Bell Chapter newsletter chair.
“Brenda’s always willing to step up to any task and any challenge,” Ms. Krcha said. “She helps however she can, and she’s a real asset to our organization.”
This year’s vice president, Mary Vasel, agreed with Ms. Krcha’s words.
“Brenda’s a very active volunteer,” Ms. Vasel said. “She’s not afraid to take charge of responsibility.”
To nominate Ms. Mickley, Ms. Krcha wrote a letter of support and praise. It was read aloud before the entire chapter, like the nomination letters of the two other nominees, Bonnie Hunt and Vicky Donohoe, both of Temple.
“And then there was a secret ballot vote,” Ms. Mickley said. “And the one with the most votes wins.”
For her career, Ms. Mickley works as an administrative assistant in the physical therapy department at Scott & White Hospital.
“And my work with ABWA has made me a better employee,” Ms. Mickley said. “It’s given me confidence, and I’ve been able to meet a lot of people, which is always good for networking in the business world.”
For the 2008-09 club year, Ms. Mickley served as chair for the fundraising committee.
“The total for the year was $2,500,” she said. “That was pretty good.”
And for the 2009-10 club year, she’ll hold the duty of program chair.
“That’s where you recruit the guest speakers for the meetings,” she said.
But that’s just a glimpse of Ms. Mickley’s life in the ABWA. She’s served as president twice and has chaired all of the committees at least once.
And as for what makes a good businesswoman, Ms. Mickley says it’s the ability “to work well with others, be calm and be efficient.”
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DID YOU KNOW?
The American Business Women’s Association Bell Chapter will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1749 Scott Blvd. in Temple. Dr. Diane Howard will present “Effective Business Com-munications.” The cost is $14, and guests are welcome. For details, call Vicky Donohoe at 534-0080.
