Story, photo by Steve Nash / Special Contributor to BrownwoodNews.com

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Summit concluded with the presentation of the Bettie Girling Distinguished Woman Award to veteran print and radio journalist Celinda Hawkins.

The summit, held Thursday at the Brownwood Event Center, drew more than 200 women. The Bettie Girling award honors an outstanding woman who has made a significant impact in the community through leadership, service and dedication.

Hawkins, who co-hosts KXYL’s Morning Show, was seated at a table with other women as chamber ambassador Tammy Fisher began reading a bio but did not initially mention a name.

Hawkins was touched and stunned when she realized the bio was about her.

“The strongest voices in the community aren’t always the loudest,” Fisher said. “They’re the ones that keep showing up, telling the truth, and help us to see more clearly. Today we have the privilege of honoring a woman whose life and work have done exactly that.”

Hawkins, a graduate of the University of Texas-Permian Basin, began her career in journalism in 1994 at the Monahans News.

“It was there she learned a craft that would define her life’s work,” Fisher said. “By 1996, she made her way to Brownwood and joined the Brownwood Bulletin.”

Hawkins went on to work in other cities including Odessa before returning to Brownwood.

“In a world that often feels divided, she models something rare — the ability to disagree with honesty, and still be with respect,” Fisher said. “In a community where many perspectives sound the same, she brings thoughtful contrast, broader insight and meaningful conversation, not to divide, but to strengthen understanding.”

In 2021, Hawkins “experienced the unimaginable loss of her daughter in a tragic accident,” Fisher said. “And though that grief would have stopped so many of us in our tracks, she continued to show up — for work, for her community, and for conversations that mattered.”

After accepting hugs and words of congratulations from multiple women, Hawkins said:

“ Oh my gosh, I’m so honored that this wonderful group of women decided to present this award to me. I was so surprised, but I’m so honored to have received it because I know who it is named after. And she was a very special woman in this community.”

Hawkins said she realized Fisher had been referring to her in the bio when Fisher mentioned Odessa. “And then I really confirmed it when she said ‘Monahans,’” Hawkins said.

Hawkins agreed that she was experiencing a role reversal since she normally reports the news rather than being the news.

“I report the news, I don’t make the news, that’s right,” Hawkins said. “I am just so grateful that I am beside myself.”