Honoring the Women Who Make San Antonio Stronger
As we continue our series spotlighting women and their influence on society, this edition features women who embody a unique yet familiar thread: the enduring and positive impact women make across all phases of life.
Our two questions are simple: How did you navigate your journey, and what message do you want to leave with others?
We now introduce two distinguished women ready to share their answers.
Balancing Vision, Faith, and Education: The Journey of Dr. Beatrice (Bea) Moore
Dr. Beatrice (Bea) Moore, a San Antonio ISD alumna, is celebrated in Legacy Leaders Imagine as an “Exemplary Leader in Education, Ministry, and Community Engagement.” True to this title, her goal remains clear: “to educate, equip, inspire and empower educators.”
Dr. Moore’s answer to the initial question was, “Simple – God’s grace, education, creativity, listening to wise counsel and operating in my gifts.”
She further added that she ” always had a focus”, saw herself as “creative and a visionary”, following her passion for teaching and a love of creativity, ” while taking full advantage” of the mathematics and logic skills that came naturally. She also acknowledged “taking full advantage of brilliant minds” that came across her path, learning from them, listening to wise counsel and was flexible enough to be able to adapt.
Subsequent strategies included earning a Master’s degree, completing professional learning courses, volunteering with many different organizations, and ultimately acquiring a PhD in Business. She has related, “stepping out on faith, with a full time consulting business and never looked back.”
Her message to readers: Remain humble, in all situations, listening and learning from various mentors.
“Never stop growing. I had to be willing to learn in order to be successful and unlearn and relearn.”
Faith, family and friends were her anchors, as well as putting God first, which kept her balanced, and were important to her success.
From Nursing to Neighborhoods: Rita Bethany’s Path of Service
Rita Bethany is also a proud product of SAISD schools. Rita graduated, in 1972, from Sam Houston High School. She attended both St. Philip’s College and San Antonio college, studying Nursing.
Rita related that she subsequently worked at Santa Rosa Hospital, for twenty-two years, as well as an additional twenty years at Methodist Ambulatory Hospital, retiring in 2013.
With care and dedication, Ms. Bethany has spent years working with and volunteering for numerous community-based organizations. Her efforts have focused on community engagement, educational activities, and “informing community on how to identify resources.” She also works to educate individuals and families on how to access city, state, and federal benefits and resources when in need.
Ms. Bethany indicated that she’s always been motivated to:
“ensure that families have access to affordable and decent housing, food and basic necessities”, in order to thrive and to care for their children.
Her commitment is to ensure that all community members are aware of the resources available to help them survive and thrive. Guided by this purpose, Ms. Bethany has dedicated herself and her energy to improving the quality of life in the community she serves.
Hopefully, we can now applaud and support these inspiring, dedicated women who are making a meaningful and positive impact in our community.
