Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce honored women in the community

Story and photos by Paula Jimenez/www.infinitieplusmag.com

The Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce (KACC) recently hosted its annual Women’s Awards at the historic Texan Theater, honoring outstanding women in the community and celebrating their contributions. This year’s event embraced the fiesta theme “Mamacitas and Margaritas,” setting a lively atmosphere for the evening’s festivities.

The awards recognized remarkable women in various categories, with winners selected by chamber members and the community, and voted on by past award recipients.

Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients:

• The Rising Star Award – Taylor Owings
• Shining Star Award – Angela Sampson
• Lifetime Star Achiever – Dr. Brenda Kays
  

The panel featured esteemed guests:

Investigator Angela Porter Burch, a 2023 Shining Star Award Recipient from the Kilgore Police Department; Lieutenant Jessica Copeland from the Kilgore College Police Department; and Firefighter Kaisee Warren of the Kilgore Fire Department. These inspiring women shared their career journeys, offering insights into their roles and expressing their deep commitment to public service.

The gathering also showcased local vendors, adding to the spirit of the Kilgore, Texas, community that defines the KACC. Attendees were treated to interactive demonstrations, including self-defense maneuvers led by Sgt. Shawn Isbell and Officer Reinert.

Participants left with new skills and valuable knowledge, enjoying a fantastic time while learning safety tips that could prove beneficial in their daily lives. The chamber expressed its gratitude to those who made the evening special, including a heartfelt acknowledgment to the night’s host, Mayor Ronnie Spradlin, who donned the best costume of the night, adding to the fun and festive spirit of the awards ceremony.