Pam Baggett-Wallis
There’s a saying that men come and go in a woman’s life, but her women friends are forever. How true! And I’ve had professional associations in my life, but Women in Communications is forever.
I joined in 1973 at the encouragement of my boss, Gene Waugh—a woman who remains my friend and second mother. At the time, if you didn’t join as a student, you had to have two years of professional experience. Working almost every night on The Daily Texan was not conducive to the kind of grades one needed to join in the 60s—it was considered an honorary fraternity. Yes, fraternity. I graduated with a BJ from The University of Texas in 1968.
1973 was the year Theta Sigma Phi held its national meeting in Houston and concurrently changed the name to Women in Communications and opened membership to men. BTW, Sigma Delta Chi, which became the Society of Professional Journalists, did not open membership to women till 1976!
Women in Communications was my “King’s X” chance to develop leadership in a supportive atmosphere. In addition to all the positions I held in the local chapter, I was fortunate to be elected to the national board. That is where I learned how to travel! I really hadn’t seen anything other than Texas and Oklahoma up to that point. Turned out to be helpful training for the seven years I spent with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
The most important activity I experienced with WICI was working in support of the national Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). We raised funds, marched, wrote letters to the editor—faxing was the height of technology then. The ERA failed nationally, but Texas is one of 16 states that ratified the amendment and we have it our state constitution. I had the privilege of marching behind the WICI banner in the last great ERA rally in Chicago on Mother’s Day, 1981.
I’ve made my career in Austin rather than taking jobs in other cities. I’m convinced most fame is an accident of geography, not actual skill. Our writers and PR pros are no less excellent than those who are in NYC, DC or LA. Excellence is everywhere.
My first job was with Brackenridge Hospital as only the second public information officer they ever had. Then I worked with Gene in the Governor’s Office in the great war against poverty. Various state and agency jobs followed, then I got the chance to return to journalism at the Austin American-Statesman (Statesperson, as some of us called it). From there, back to working with hospitals, then Southern Union Gas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Texas Medical Association (TMA), and now as a crisis communications and issue advocacy consultant.
And who did I turn to first when I left TMA? AWC members, of course! One was the great, late Anne Robinson who told me to follow my intuition. I’m now Alpha to a white standard poodle named Annie.
My greatest professional accomplishments are the awards I received from WICI: Gladys Whitney Hearst Outstanding Chapter Member, Mentor, Leadership, and President. My greatest personal accomplishments, beyond sons and grandsons, are the deep, dear friendships with the finest women of all ages. I sincerely wish the same long, rewarding relationships to all AWC members.
Meet Pam Baggett-Wallis
Pamela Baggett moved to Austin, Texas, to attend journalism school at The University of Texas, and stayed on after earning her Bachelor of Journalism. Keeping Austin as home base, she created career opportunities in a stunningly broad scope of communications with specialties in reputation management, media relations, crisis communications, issue advocacy, government relations, and teaching/coaching. Today she offers these many life lessons and experiences to help businesses, organizations and individuals plan, execute and achieve communications goals through her consultancy Persuasion Communication.
In addition to her involvement with AWC, Pam is a member of IABC, the Texas Writer’s League, and CEO Network. She has served on numerous local philanthropic boards and now is a teacher for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Family-to-Family course. She is a former member of the Society of Professional Journalists and is a four-time producer of the Gridiron show, the annual irreverent fundraising event featuring journalists, elected officials and other newsmakers. She taught “using research” at the university level, and is a frequent speaker for professional associations, businesses, nonprofit groups, and students on topics including crisis communications, motivation, strategic partnerships, life balance, creativity, and media relations.
