Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott Keynotes 92nd Annual Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Banquet
By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2019
Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott was the keynote speaker at the 92nd Annual Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Banquet held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade, announced Sandra Martinez, Executive Director of the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce.
Abbott spoke about the important role that Chambers of Commerce play in Texas communities such as the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce. She congratulated the City of Eagle Pass for being named the Best Border City in Texas.
Abbott is the granddaughter of immigrants from Mexico. She was raised in San Antonio, Texas by her parents, who were both educators, together with two brothers and a sister. She loves classical music since the age of six when she began playing the piano. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her future husband and now Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and earned three degrees from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, including a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Education, and a Master’s degree in Theology. She is the first Hispanic woman to serve as the First Lady of Texas.
Abbott is dedicated to educating the children of Texas having served as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal at several Catholic schools across Texas. Most recently, she served as principal of the Cathedral School of Saint Mary in Austin, Texas. She also served as Managing Director of Community Relations for a health care company specializing in senior adult health care facilities and services.
Abbott loves to volunteer and do philanthropic work in the community and statewide. She serves on the Board of Directors of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, the Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, the Saint Gabriel’s Catholic School, and the Cathedral School of Saint Mary. She is a member of the Women’s Symphony League of Austin, the Dell Children’s Women’s Trust, and Meals on Wheels. She is a former member of the State Board for Educator Certification (2001-2008), the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter, National Center for Missing and Expoited Children Texas Regional Office, the Holy Trinity Seminary, the Catholic Dioscese of Austin Schools, Ballet Austin, and the Principals’ Center at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Abbott strongly believes in giving back to one’s community. She loves to promote the State of Texas and philanthropy, which she calls “Texanthropy.” Cecilia and Governor Gregg Abbott have one daughter, Audrey.
Abbott received a standing ovation before and after her keynote speech by the over 250 attendees at the banquet.
Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce President William W. Davis presented Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott with a bouquet of Roses and a plaque in recognition of her extraordinary leadership in Texas and philanthropy.
In addition, the new Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2019 were installed and sworn-in by Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, including William W. Davis, President; Juan Garza, First Vice-President; Jorge Barrera, Second Vice-President; Dora L. Salinas, Secretary-Treasurer; and Board Members Rodolfo Barrera, Andres Beattie, Martha Garcia, Mike Garcia, Ruben Herrera, Larry Martin, Hilda Martinez, Aaron Valdez, Alma V. Velasquez, and Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Wright. Sandra Martinez is the Executive Director of the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce.
