Women's History Month - Carol Welder

"I wasn't necessarily looking for a leadership role - I just feel like people need to be asked. That's been my experience. I observed people and if I feel like they take initiative and they would be a good leader, I tell them 'you should apply to move up - we need more Texas leaders and I think you would be great.' So a lot of times, I think it's just a matter of paying attention and then taking action and asking people to step up.

"When I came on the Management Committee, I served the first term as Secretary and then I was sitting in front of the Nominating Committee the next term. I went back into the CATA office and some things had changed. We lost an Executive Director and so my thinking at the time was I can't really stay on the Management Committee - that I needed to kind of focus my attention on CATA and all the things I needed to do there. I remember Jim Chaffin asking me 'if we didn't give you any more responsibilities than you have now, would you consider staying on?' I thought that was a real turning point because I said 'yeah I think I can do that,' and so I stayed on another term as Secretary, and then the next go-around I was elected President. So that was a real lesson for me, that you kind of have to be a little instinctive and figure out where people are at the time. Don't just take no for an answer, especially if you have confidence in them that they can contribute. It made me be more aware of other people's situations

"I love tennis so much and I love what it's done for my life and for many others that I've known. I really felt dedicated and passionate about continuing on, I've stayed on the board with CATA and stayed involved at the local level. I feel it's so important for the Section and for National to keep that perspective [of local] as they talk about national programs. They need to have people that speak to how the practicality of running those programs affects the players, families and coaches. Plus I loved it. I love the people you get to know, it becomes your second family and you get to know those folks and you really look forward to seeing them again and you develop these bonds.