2026 Texas Democratic Women
February 6-8, 2026
TDW invites all Texas Democrats to join in celebrating our 39th year uniting the diverse Democratic Women of Texas and growing their participation and influence in Texas politics and government. This is TDW’s principal annual fundraiser – its proceeds support the general election campaigns of Democratic women in various races across the state.
Begin planning now to attend and encourage other members to do so, too. Join our Facebook Event Page to receive updates.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Discount rates have been extended to January 18, 2026
Convention activities will take place at the Austin Marriott South, 4415 South I-35 Frontage Road, Austin, Texas, USA, 78744. Rooms there are $149 per night plus tax. Breakfast is available in the hotel restaurant, but is not included with the room.
TDW has also blocked rooms at the nearby SpringHill Suites, 4525 South Interstate Hwy 35 Austin, Texas, USA, 78744 for $139 per night plus tax. Breakfast is included at the SpringHill. Note: If you book at the SpringHill Suites, you will need to walk across a fairly large parking lot to attend the convention events to be held at the Austin Marriott South.
IMPORTANT PRE-CONVENTION DEADLINES
DECEMBER 7, 2025
Nominations for Candidates for Statewide Awards
Statewide Awards Guidelines
Statewide Awards Form
- Dr. Mae Jackson Outstanding Woman Elected Official
- Oscar Mauzy Humanitarian Award
- Texas Democratic Outstanding Member of the Year
- Chapter Achievement Awards
- Outstanding Chapter Newsletter
- Outstanding Chapter Scrapbook
Email submissions to Mary Ho at mhotdw2023@yahoo.com.
DECEMBER 9, 2025
Submit Names for Executive Board Positions
TDW Officer Candidate Form
Email submissions to Tammie Hartgroves at thartgroves74@gmail.com.
Submit Proposed Changes to the Bylaws
Email submissions to Alieca Hux at aliecahux1947@gmail.com.
JANUARY 15, 2026
Star Awards for Chapter Members
Star Awards Form
ActBlue Star Awards Payment
As you see people working hard for Democratic Candidates, think about acknowledging their hard work with a Star Award, which will feature a picture of them and a bio in our program, and will award them a certificate and pin.
Email submissions to Mary Ho at mhotdw2023@yahoo.com.
CONVENTION DETAILS
REGISTRATION
Download the form and mail it with your check or register online.
Registration deadline extended to February 4.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Our Gala Dinner is the evening of Saturday, February 7, 2026, and is our principal fundraising event. This is a must-win election cycle. I hope that Chapters will celebrate this milestone by purchasing all or parts of tables and help us approach candidates and organizations in their areas that your TDW has supported.
Please send the names of those to be seated at your table, any dietary restrictions they may have, and your digital ad copy to the TexasDemWomen@gmail.com no later than January 21st.
Tote Bags
$2000 Convention Totebags Sponsorship
Have your name or business logo on convention tote bags.
Friday Evening Statewide Candidates Reception
(Note that we have a membership of almost 2000)
$2500 Reception Gold Sponsor – acknowledgement in all advertising and communications; recognition at event and in program; half-page program ad; photo and brief write-up in special January newsletter to all members featuring gold sponsors
$1500 Silver Reception Sponsor – acknowledgment in all advertising and communications; recognition at event and in program; quarter-page ad
$500 Bronze Reception Sponsor – recognition at event and in program
Saturday Morning Breakfast/Coffee Sponsor
$2500 Breakfast/Coffee Gold Sponsor – acknowledgement in all advertising and communications; recognition at event and in program; half-page program ad; photo and brief write-up in special January newsletter to all members featuring gold sponsors
$1500 Breakfast/Coffee Sponsor acknowledgment in all advertising and communications; recognition at event and in program; quarter-page ad
$500 Breakfast/Coffee Sponsor – recognition at event and in program
Saturday Evening Gala Award Dinner and Reception
The Saturday, February 7th semi-formal Reception, Silent Auction & Gala Award Dinner is a highlight of the weekend, celebrating winners of the Oscar Mauzy Humanitarian Award, and the Dr. Mae Jackson Outstanding Democratic Woman Elected Official Award.
The Reception and Silent Auction open at 6:00 p.m. The seated dinner is at 7 p.m. at the Austin Marriott South Hotel, 4415 S. I-35 Frontage Rd.
Gala Reserved Tables
$5000 Barbara Jordan will have a reserved table for 8 with premium seating, two drink tickets per guest, and a full-page program book ad.
$2500 Sarah Weddington will have a reserved table for 8 with preferred seating, one drink ticket per guest, and a half page ad in the program book.
$1000 Ann Richards will have a reserved table for 8 with preferred seating, one drink ticket per guest, and a quarter-page program book ad.
Gala Reserved Tables
$500 Molly Ivins will have a reserves half table for 4, one drink ticket per guest, and acknowledgment as a sponsor in the program
$250 Lady Bird Johnson will have a reserved table for 2, one drink ticket per attendee and acknowledgment as a sponsor in the program
ADVERTISING
The deadline to purchase an ad in our program has passed.
VENDOR TABLE
Vendor Tables are Sold Out
VendorThe TDW Convention has space for a dozen vendors at our convention hotel, the Austin Marriott South, located at 4415 S I-35 Access Road. Vendors may set up early Saturday morning. Spots are available for $100 on a first come, first served basis. Each skirted table will be provided with two chairs.
SILENT AUCTION
As always, our Silent Auction is a great fundraiser. Again, we are asking each Chapter to bring at least 2 items for the Silent Auction.
Please donate!
SCHEDULE
Friday February 6
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Registration LoneStar Ballroom Salon A Foyer
5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Reception for and Addresses by State-Wide Candidates, LoneStar Ballroom Salon A&B
Saturday February 7
7:30 a.m. Registration LoneStar Ballroom Salon A Foyer
7:45 a.m. Breakfast service of Muffins, Bagels and Breakfast Tacos
8:10 a.m. Breakfast Keynote Speaker Katharine Pichardo Erskine, President and CEO of Latino Victory “Texas is the Future, and Latinos are the Deciding Force”
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Break
8:45 a.m. General Session Opening Remarks and Call to Order
9:05 a.m. Adoption of the Agenda, Minutes and Committee Reports
9:30 a.m. 15 minute break
9:45 a.m. Election of 2026 Officers
10:45 a.m. Committee Reports, Adoption of 2026 Budget
11:00 a.m. Adjourn and Clear the Room for Lunch
STAR AWARDS LUNCHEON
12:15 Doors Open
Luncheon with Keynote Speaker Skye Perryman, President and CEO, Democracy Forward
After Lunch – Star Awards and Parade of Candidates
WORKSHOPS
2:00 p.m.
- The Texas Blueprint: Year Round Latino Engagement that Wins
Katharine Pichardo, President and CEO of Latino Victory - Are you Ready to Lead? Are You Ready to Run?
Workshop Focus: 4 Ps of Running for Political Office, Political Etiquette and How to Avoid Imposter Syndrome through planning, preparing and performing well.
Cierra Evans and Dr. Cleo Wadley - Revive and Thrive: Inspiring Buy-In and Engagement to Reenergize Your TDW Chapter
In this session, the Bell County Texas Democratic Women will share how we evolved our chapter into the vibrant, engaged, and impactful community it is today. We’ll cover the strategic steps we used, the lessons we learned along the way, and we’ll include some interactive exercises to help you brainstorm new ideas for your own chapter. We’ll finish up with a Q&A to give you personalized tips and insights.
(Designed for chapter leadership and those who want to become involved in chapter leadership)
Terris Goodwin, President Bell County TDW and other chapter members to help out on Q and A.
3:00 p.m.
- Creating Entry Points and Empowering Mentorship for the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
This session is about how we invite younger generations into civic life — not as helpers, but as leaders. We’ll focus on two shifts: creating entry points instead of gatekeeping, and building mentorship that empowers rather than intimidates. - Rural Organizing and Support for Candidates
D. Karen Wilkerson, Chair SDEC Texas Rural Democrats, Kim Gonzalez, SDEC 19, and Carla Schoonover Porter, 134 PAC - Organizing with AI
Organizing with AI involves leveraging tools & programs like Zoom, Perplexy, Beehive and ChatGPT to help with political organizing plus management of schedules and documents for your organization and yourself. Learn About the top 25 programs.
Coretta Graham – TDW President
4:00 p.m.
- Chapter Finance
Joyce Franklin – Treasurer TDW - How to Harness Social Media for Progress, with Progress Texas
Progress Texas is a nonprofit multimedia organization building a community of informed, empowered, and mobilized Texans who are touched by and take action on a range of progressive issues. With a top 2.5% globally rated podcast network digital reach of millions, and the largest online audience for Texas progressives, we create peerless, accessible media supporting progressive change. The PT team will share tools YOU can use to build a presence for positive change online, too!
Chris Mosser, Communications Director and Tatum Owens, Advocacy and Development Coordinator, both from Progress Texas. - New Board Introduction
This is an opportunity for the new Board Members to introduce themselves to each other and learn about their responsibilities and tools.
TDW President and others
RECEPTION, DINNER, AND SILENT AUCTION
6:00 P.M. Doors open for Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards with Keynote Speaker Nancy Thompson, Founder, Mothers Against Greg Abbott
Sunday, February 8, 2026
9:00 a.m. First Quarter TDW State Board Meeting – Capitol Boardroom