Page 13 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2017- Online Magazine

you are!” She told me that she wasn’t know where they came from, what Community Leader Award and
allowed to move or say anything. brought them to Lubbock, all about the Rita Harmon Volunteer of the
Experiences such as these confirm their family and even invite them to Year. My grandmother has had a
what I have always known: my church. tremendous impact on my life. She has
grandmother is one of the strongest taught me to be confident, determined,
women I know. From the time I was Over the course of 50 years, my and hardworking. To LISD and the
little, my grandmother has instilled in grandmother, Vernita Woods- city of Lubbock, she is Vernita Woods-
me to stand up for what is right. Holmes, has made quite a name for Holmes, a confident and inspirational
herself in the city of Lubbock. She mentor and colleague to countless
After she left Austin and returned to has won countless awards for her people here in Lubbock, but to me she
Lubbock in the early 1960’s, she began tireless contribution to LISD and is and will always be my YaYa. I love
a journey that would span decades. the community of East Lubbock. and admire my grandmother so much,
My grandma began her career in Some of those awards include the and I hope I can inspire others just as
education at a school in Slaton, Texas. Delta Sigma Theta Outstanding she has inspired me.
After being hired in Lubbock and
teaching at several different schools,
she became the principal at Hunt
Elementary, which is now Margaret SOUTH PLAINS ASSOCIATION OF
Talkington School for Young Women GOVERNMENTS
Leaders, where I graduated in 2016. AREA AGENCY ON AGING
After she retired in 1999, she became
a board member for the Lubbock ARE YOU LOOKING FOR HELP—AND DON’T
Independent School District. My
grandmother has spent over 50 years HAVE A CLUE WHERE TO GO?
working in education. Even though
her days in LISD are finished, that
hasn’t stopped her from trying to
inspire and uplift as many people as SENIOR CITIZENS 60+
she can. These days, she’s just doing it
by giving her time to one organization HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY
at a time. 806-687-0940 or
1-888-418-6564 (toll free)
As of 2017, my grandmother is This is a FREE service to help you find the information you need:
a board member for the YWCA,

Early Learning Centers of Lubbock,
the Roots Historical Arts Council,
Lubbock Area United Way, and
Talkington Advisory Board, just Care Coordination Program:
to name a few. Because of my  Eye Exam & Eye Glasses
grandmother’s involvement in Benefits Counseling:  Hearing Aids
 Prescription Medication
 Social Security Question
education and the community, she  Medicare/Medicaid Application Assistance  Durable Medical Equipment
 Emergency Response System
is recognized everywhere she goes. I  Medicare Comparison of Plans (Part D)  Minor Residential Repair (Homeowners)

can’t go anywhere with her without  Medical Transportation
 Adult Day Care-Lubbock
hearing someone call out, “Vernita!” Caregivers:  Homemaker Services
 Minor Residential Repair (Homeowners)
and her ever so classic, “Well, hi.” She  Respite Care-Voucher Program  Chore Maintenance (lawns-house cleaning)

never meets a stranger; within two  Depends, Pad, Durable Medical Equipment Resources:

 Information, Referral and Assistance
minutes of meeting someone, she will  The Golden Resource Directory

Lubbock Senior Link 13