SAN MARCOS WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME
Two women who have dedicated their lives to building and protecting the San Marcos community will be inducted into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame tonight.
Melani Howard and Molly Ann Rosas-Garcia will be honored during the induction ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Pauline Espinosa Community Hall, 170 Charles Austin Drive.
The San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to honor women for their volunteerism and leadership in the community. Since then, over 140 women have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Honorees were nominated by the public for their meaningful contributions to the San Marcos community through personal achievement and community service. A committee of former recipients then selects individuals for induction based on several criteria, including volunteerism in multiple areas of service, meeting the needs of the community, demonstration of initiative, influencing positive change and going beyond the call of duty.
MELANI HOWARD Melani Howard started her career as the Habitat Conservation Plan Manager for the city of San Marcos more than two decades ago.
“Her respect and love for the San Marcos River and river ecology motivated her to spend many of her off-work hours doing some of the same work as she did for [the] city,” a biography provided by the city of San Marcos stated. “She is often seen leading volunteers at our river cleanups, helping with vegetation rehabilitation and leading park maintenance workdays.”
Howard also served as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve for 30 years, finishing her career as Colonel and Squadron Commander of the 22nd Air Force earlier this year. She also volunteered for many school-based organizations while raising her two children as a single mom and has continued her volunteer spirit today as the secretary of the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance.
MOLLY ANN ROSASGARCIA
Molly Ann Rosas-Garcia was born and raised in San Marcos. The Rattler alum has spent decades volunteering to help build the local business community, protect local history, grow the arts and feed those in need.
“For the past twenty years Molly Ann has been a highly active community member and local philanthropist and has served on dozens of boards and committees,” a biography provided by the city of San Marcos states.
It didn’t take long for Rosas-Garcia to make her mark. At just 26 years old, she became the youngest chairwoman of the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She also served on the city’s Main Street Advisory Board as chairwoman for six years.
She is a former board member of the San Marcos Heritage Association, San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, city of San Marcos Economic Development and Texas State University’s Friends of Fine Arts and Communication board as well as being a founding member of The Women’s Council.
And she hasn’t stopped serving yet. For the last seven years, Rosas-Garcia has served as a board member for School Fuel, which is currently serving 1,300 students who are at high risk of having little or no food at home during the weekends. She was recently sworn-in as Vice President of the San Marcos Bluebonnet Lions Club and is parade chair for the San Marcos Mardi Gras Parade.
