The Women in Tyler Committee has announced the details for its highly anticipated luncheon, scheduled for March 26, 2026. This year, the event will focus on the theme ‘Women Laying the Foundation’.
While the specific venue for the luncheon is yet to be revealed, organizers are committed to sharing that information in the months leading up to the event. The Women in Tyler Committee, established in 1999, aims to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of women improving the well-being of the region.
Maxine Caldwell, co-chair of the 2026 luncheon, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “I think that our 2026 Women in Tyler luncheon will introduce women to the community that the community may not know the great contributions that they’re making.”
Community involvement is also a vital component, as organizers are inviting nominations for honorees until September 10, 2025. Nominations can be sent to womenintyler@gmail.com or through mail to Women in Tyler (WIT) P.O. Box 1432, Tyler, TX, 75710. Honorees will be announced in January 2026.
Nomination Criteria
The selection process is guided by several criteria designed to highlight exceptional women:
- Pioneering Leadership
- Mentorship and Empowerment
- Resilience and Vision
- Lasting Impact
- Legacy Building
- Unsung Contribution
Honorees from 2025
The honorees from the previous year’s luncheon included:
- Kay Pleasant, Retired UT Tyler Professor
- Suzy Shepard, Founder of Shine and Warrior Women
- Yvonne Atkins, Retired Tyler ISD Educator
- Kimberly Lewis, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of East Texas
- Lisa Ellis, 2024 Campus Teacher of the Year at Early College High School
- Barbara Bass, Former Tyler Mayor
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