The Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce on March 22 hosted a memorable event, the Women’s Brunch and Bubbly, at the SJP Ranch, 2646 FM 1010, in Cleveland. This event, in its second year, served as a platform to recognize the contributions of two distinguished community leaders: Frieda White, founder of Operation Refuge of Cleveland, and Dr. Elna Davis, the superintendent of Tarkington ISD.
The event commenced with touching introductions by White’s daughter, Paige Bostwick, who also serves on the Tarkington ISD Board of Trustees. Bostwick spoke eloquently about Dr. Davis, praising her as a brilliant and humble leader who has significantly impacted the field of education for nearly three decades.
She highlighted Dr. Davis’s exceptional leadership qualities, emphasizing her ability to see the bigger picture, formulate effective plans, and navigate challenging situations with unwavering grace and integrity.
As Dr. Davis accepted her Woman of Honor certificate, her gratitude and dedication to student success came through in her words. She expressed heartfelt thanks to the Tarkington ISD board and the supportive community, acknowledging the profound impact of prayer and the role of educators in shaping future generations.
“My passion is student success, which is a byproduct of teacher success. A proficient, caring, empathetic teacher can make amazing things happen. Educators are doing what I refer to as the Lord’s work. I’ll end by saying that teaching is a field that’s dominated by women, that oftentimes requires you to be a teacher, a nurse, a counselor, a friend, a cheerleader, all wrapped up into one. I thank all the teachers willing to wear all those hats. Public school is for the public good because I believe a country that does not have educated people, educated masses, will dwindle in influence and power over time,” Davis said.
Turning the spotlight to her mother, Bostwick paid a touching tribute to Frieda White, portraying her as a woman of strength, faith, and unwavering commitment to her community. She recounted the founding of Liberty Church in Cleveland 40 years ago by White and her husband, Rev. Bob White, and highlighted the dedication they showed that has inspired the next generation of church leaders.
White, in her remarks, emphasized the importance of faithfulness and quiet determination in fulfilling one’s purpose. She underscored the significance of prioritizing divine guidance amid life’s distractions and challenges, urging the audience to focus on staying faithful to their calling.
“You know, at the end of our days, the only thing that matters is if we’ve been thankful to what God wants us to do,” White said.
The Women’s Brunch and Bubbly not only celebrated the extraordinary achievements of these remarkable women but also served as a reminder of the immense impact women can have on their communities.
This year’s Women’s Brunch and Bubbly was sponsored by the Better Business Bureau, Good Promotions, both gold sponsors; and Fuselier Surveying and Mapping, Sari’s Creations and Shelly Faust with Keller Williams, all silver sponsors.
For more information on the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, go online to https://www.clevelandtxchamber.com/ or call 281-592-8786.