June 1st Speaker - Ora Houston
Our June 1st Speaker is City Council Member Ora Houston.
City Council Member Ora Houston was born in Rome, GA and has lived in east Austin for most of her life. She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from Huston-Tillotson University. Her professional background includes 27 years with the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and, prior to that, she was a caseworker with Child Protective Services and Austin Travis County MHMR. After retirement, Ms. Houston worked in the office of Texas Senator Gonzalo Barrientos from 1999 to 2003. Ms. Houston has participated in many local organizations and commissions. She was a member of the Citizens Advisory Task Force of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan and a member of the collaborative council of the Travis County Model Court for Children and Families. Houston was vice-chair of the Upper Boggy Creek Neighborhood Planning Team, and she was a part of the Disproportionately Committee of Family and Protective Services. Houston has received a number of awards in recognition of her community involvement including the Pioneer Spirit Award, Outstanding Women in Texas Government (1998) Public Citizen of the Year, Texas Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (2009) Outstanding Civic Engagement, Austin Branch, NAACP (2011) and outstanding alumni, Huston-Tillotson International Alumni Association, (2012).